THEORY AND PRACTICE,

APPLIED TO THE

CULTIVATION

OF

THE CUCUMBER,

IN THE

WINTER SEASON:

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

A CHAPTER ON MELONS:

By THOMAS MOORE,

MEMBER OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.

SECOND EDITION,

WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING REMARKS ON HEATING
AERATING, AND COVERING FORCING HOUSES; ON
TRANSPLANTING, AND THE USE OF TURF
POTS; ON WATERING; ON ATMOS-
PHERIC HUMIDITY, &c., &c.

LONDON:
RICHARD GROOMBRIDGE AND SONS,
5 PATERNOSTER ROW.

MDCCCXLVII.

LONDON:
PRINTED BY DAVID M. AIED
JAMES ST., COVENT GARDEN.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

This little treatise is intended as an inducement to young Gardenersespecially, to seek for the reasons on which the operations of their dailypractice are founded, and by which they are regulated. This announcementis here made, in order to prevent any reader from supposing that theauthor has unduly estimated the opinions of those who have benefited by along course of application and experience. As, however, there can be nodoubt that there is much to be learned, so is there but little questionthat there is also much to be unlearned, in the present state of theScience of Horticulture; and these pages are offered without hesitation,as a mite among the accumulating mass of available information ongardening subjects; and in the hope that some amongst those who areseeking to extend their knowledge, may at least be stimulated by theirperusal, if they are not otherwise directly benefited.

The great truths which it is the object of this treatise to impress, arethese: that the ultimate success of gardening operations does not dependon the performance of any part of them, at a particular time, or in aparticular or even superior manner, but rather upon the supplying, in anatural manner, as far as possible, all the conditions which arenecessary to the nutrition and perpetuation of plants; and, that it iswithin the open pathway of Science, and not the bye-ways of empiricism,that the finger-post of direction should be sought.

Royal Botanic Garden, Regent’s Park,
March 2nd, 1844.

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

In the present edition, it has been thought best to preserve the originaltext exactly as it appeared in the first edition. The new matter will befound in the Appendix.

The author may take this opportunity of returning his thanks to those whohave noticed and commended the former edition, and of expressing a hopethat the present will receive an equal share of favour.

Camden Town, Aug. 1, 1847.

CONTENTS.