The Theory of Horticulture

A guide to plant life and horticultural practice by influential botanist and taxonomist John Lindley, published in 1840.

John Lindley (1799–1865) was an English horticulturalist and taxonomist who wrote many influential works, both scientific and popular, about plants. His aim in this book, published in 1840, was to explain to the 'intelligent gardener, and the scientific amateur' the main principles of horticulture and plant physiology.John Lindley (1799–1865) was an English horticulturalist who worked for Sir Joseph Banks and was later instrumental in saving the Royal Horticultural Society from financial disaster. His earlier books on British plants were well received and he was influential in the realm of botanical nomenclature, especially in orchidology. He was a prolific author and many of his books were aimed at a non-specialist readership. His aim in this work, published in 1840, was to provide 'the intelligent gardener, and the scientific amateur … with the rationalia of the more important operations of horticulture'. Beginning with a chapter on seeds, the first part of the book describes the life and structure of a plant - the root, the stem, the leaves, the flowers and the fruit. The second part moves on to practical topics, such as ventilation and seed-saving, as well as pruning and potting, explaining many basic concepts of plant cultivation.