IV 
PREFACE. 
and since then its progress has been most satisfactory. 
Theory has been found to be other than mere chimerical 
romance. The science of chemistry has been cleared of 
much of the technical obscurity with which it was encum¬ 
bered, and has thus become familiarised and rendered an 
useful auxiliary; and, as a necessaiy consequence, the 
practice of Horticulture has advanced in a corresponding 
ratio. To assist which improvements have been made in 
the operative departments, tending to render the applica¬ 
tion of correct principles easy and their effects certain. 
These advances can only be regarded as the gratifying 
first-fruits of a general search after knowledge undertaken 
by the members of the profession ; the spirit of inquiry has 
taken firm possession, and most of the energy requisite to 
a proper and beneficial consummation is at length aroused. 
Let it still be pursued, as the only and certain means by 
which it is possible the gardener can hope to attain the 
position his character and usefulness entitle him to. 
It remains only to show how this has been done, and 
how it may be continued, to insure the desired result. An 
advance of this magnitude cannot be thought of as result¬ 
ing from isolated individual efforts; no — it required the 
united assistance of many; and it is to the formation of 
societies for the promotion of Horticultural objects,' no 
matter how they act, whether by encouraging the pro¬ 
duction of extraordinary subjects in the distribution of 
prizes at an exhibition, or by the dissemination of know¬ 
ledge in the pleasing and equalising manner of mutual 
instruction; it is to the influence of societies of this nature 
that the science is mainly indebted for the advancement 
