INTRODUCTION. HE practice of horticulture has been regarded as the most healthy employment and most delightful recreation in which human beings can be engaged. This remark holds good of all its branches, unless it be the forcing of flowers and fruits under glass, which is adverse to physical well-being. It is true that in the departments of culinary vegetables and fruits the important element of utility is of first importance; but even they are not without their pleasures of a satisfactory nature. The retired Roman emperor Diocletian was so pleased with watching the growth of the cabbages which he had planted with his own hand, that he refused to leave them in order to resume the reins of power. Doubtless, the originators of new fruits, such as the late Mr T. A. Knight and Van Mons, not to speak of more modern instances, enjoyed the most exquisite delight in cultivating and watching the progress of their seedlings, in realizing their gains, and in imparting them to the world at large. It is pleasing to enjoy the consciousness of skill applied, of diligence and power exercised, and of cherished expectation gratified at length. Flower-gardening-the subject of this little work— has less of material utility than the departments just A |