The Book of gardening; a handbook of horticulture

Front matter

Glass Book

The Book of Gardening.

H Ibanbbooh of Ibovticultiuc

Preface

Of so many components is Horticulture built up that to so marshal the various units that they form a fairly comprehensible whole, of service alike to the amateur and professional, is not by any means an easy task. The fact is, the professional gardener is called upon to play many parts. In some establishments he has not only to prove himself an adept in the cultivation of flowers and decorative plants, but he has also to positively excel in the raising of fruits and vegetables for the table. Indeed, it would not be untruthful to say that in a very large number of places his position greatly depends upon the amount of skill he is able to. bring to bear upon the latter departments. In the preparation, therefore, of this book the multifarious duties of the professional on the one hand, and the exacting requirements of the present-day amateur on the other, have had to be kept steadily in mind.

As hinted in the Introduction, places have been found for subjects which often are neglected, and the endeavour to give prominence to these phases of Horticulture will, it is hoped, prove acceptable to the garden-loving public. Trees and shrubs for instance may be cited as amongst those subjects of which far too little is known, considering their value and importance in the beautification of the outdoor garden, for there is nothing that for permanent effect can compare with them.

What trees and shrubs are to the outdoor garden, the Palms and the Bamboos are to the indoor one : their habit and form are as diversified as are the uses to which they may be put.

vi

PREFACE.

Yet for all that, so far as the first-named are concerned, there is very little information obtainable in a readily accessible form. Then to take a widely different class of plants, what possibilities are there bound up with the hardy and the tender Aquatics — plants which are not half as much recognised as their merits deserve. x\nd similarly with Orchids — at one time popularly supposed to be the exclusive property of the rich — which, thanks to the Gardening Press and the enterprise of importers, are brought to the doors of all who can afford to indulge their tastes for plants under glass. In fact, what at one time was voted a little understood and very expensive hobby, is now regarded to be alike as economical and as easy of achievement as almost any other section of indoor plants.

Manures, again, are of the highest importance to the successful cultivator, yet in far too many instances it is to be feared they are employed on the rule of thumb principle, with disastrous results upon the crop they were intended to help. No apology, therefore, is needed for devoting a chapter to their consideration.

Of the freemasonry which exists between professional gardeners and nurserymen and their less enlightened amateur brethren I must speak in the highest terms. There is no craft of my acquaintance which has fewer so-called trade secrets. This has abundantly been demonstrated to me during the progress of the work, and I should like to testify to the many kindnesses in the form of useful hints and practical advice which I have received from the profession and the trade. Particularly, however, am I indebted for such help to Mr. William Barr, Mr. George Schneider, Mr. S. T. Wright, and Mr. H. J. Chapman. To Messrs. Veitch and Sons and to Messrs. Barr and Sons I must also tender my grateful thanks for readily placing at my disposal some excellent illustrations, and for the generous assistance they gave our artists on very many occasions, by providing, often at considerable personal inconvenience to themselves, facilities for obtaining drawings from good subjects.

Outside the ranks of the profession and the trade, I must acknowledge my indebtedness to my colleague, Mr. W. Baker- Bartlett, for kindly assistance during the passage of the work through the Press. And it is largely owing to the generous help received from many quarters that the labour in connection with the book has been so materially lightened.

W. D.

Contents

CHAPTER

I. — ^Introduction .....

II. — On Landscape Gardening