THE

FRUIT GROWER'S INSTRUCTOR,

BEING

A PRACTICAL TREATISE

ON THE

CULTIVATION AND TREATMENT

OF

FRUIT TREES:

TO WHICH IS ADDED,

FULL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORCING,

WITH

A LIST AND DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF ALL THE BEST FRUITS CULTIVATED IN GREAT BRITAIN;

ALSO DIRECTIONS FOR

HOTHOUSE BUILDING,

WITH THE MOST APPROVED MODES OF HEATING BY FIRE AND HOT WATER.

THIS WILL BE FOUND A SUCCESSFUL GUIDE TO THE CULTIVATION AND FORCING OF FRUITS
IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, FROM THE PINE DOWNWARDS, AS IT COMPREHENDS the
MANAGEMENT OF THE PINERY, VINERY, PEACHERY, AND OTHER FRUIT-TREE
FORCING HOUSES; WITH SORTS PROPER FOR FORCING. ALSO DIRECTIONS
FOR FORCING CHOICE PLANTS, &C. THEREIN. TOGETHER WITH FULL IN-
STRUCTIONS FOR GROWING MELONS, EARLY STRAWBERRIES, &c.

THE WHOLE WRITTEN FROM PRACTICE,

BY GEORGE BLISS.

SECOND EDITION, GREATLY ENLARGED.

LONDON:

JAMES RIDGWAY, 169, PICCADILLY.

ARY-AGUICULTURE

SB356 B6 1841

LONDON:

BLATCH AND LAMPERT, PRINTERS, GROVE PLACE, BROMPTON.

PREFACE.

It is necessary to prefix a Preface to a work of this nature, to give the reader such information as may be useful during its perusal; to explain and point out the nature and arrangements of its principal parts; likewise to duly prepare him for what the work contains, which is of great advantage both to the author and himself.

It often happens in works of this sort, as well as in many others, that quotations are made. from other authors, in order to sanction and gloss over their own productions, sometimes of

667763

praise, sometimes of ridicule, just as it

may

suit

the passage or parts alluded to; but by cautioning my readers against inexperienced authors, I do not intend throughout this publication to call any one name in particular in question, as, perhaps, much which has been written has been to the best of the writer's judgment. But when a person is about to become a fruit grower, (particularly on an extensive scale,) he ought to be cautious how he follows the advice of inexperienced or theoretical persons; for I have read many works professing to treat on horticultural and gardening subjects, which are more calculated to amuse than enlighten. There is a difference between rules of treatment by which certain effects can be insured, and hereditary customs, (if I may use the term) by which advantages may accidentally follow; yet the sticklers, nay almost worshippers, of these latter, will not hesitate to attack the experienced man, because, in one instance out of a hundred, he