INTRODUCTION TO HORTICULTURE
INTRODUCTION TO HORTICULTURE The term ‘Horticulture’ is derived from two Latin words, where hortus means Garden and cultura means Cultivation. The word horticulture came into existence in the seventeenth century. It is found mentioned in Peter Laurenberg’s treatise written in 1631 however ‘E. Phillips Miller’ used the word horticulture in his book “The New World of English Word” in 1678. In ancient days the gardens had protected enclosures with high walls or similar structures surrounding the houses. The enclosed places were used to grow fruit, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants. The garden crops include fruits, vegetables, flowers, ornamental tree, spices, plantations, medicinal and aromatic plants. The products of horticultural crops such as fruits and vegetables are easily perishable so that they are utilized in the fresh state. “At present the horticulture may be defined as the science and technique of production, processing and merchand