INTRODUCTION. 



THERE is not in the whole of the Arts and Sciences, 

 one link of their Circle so suitable for the occupation of man 

 in a state of innocency, as that which embraces the cultivation 

 of Plants ; and it is an instance of the beneficent providence 

 of the Deity, that He assigned a Garden as the dwelling of 

 our first-created Parents. It is no consequence of the fall of 

 Adam, that Plants require cultivation, he was placed in Para- 

 dise to till and to keep it. Then, the weed had not sprung up 

 to render the tillage toilsome. Fruit Trees which God had 

 ** planted" were the chief objects of care, and it was an em- 

 ployment without labour ; combining the preservation of health 

 with amusement ; pure without insipidity ; constant without 

 sameness. From that period Gardens have never ceased 

 to engage the attention of man, and even now that their la- 

 bours are manifold, they still aft'ord " the purest of Human 

 pleasures." 



Whether as a private individual man regulates his Garden ; 

 -—or with more extended benefit cultivates his Farm, still he 

 participates in pleasure combined with utility ; whilst his 

 time is agreeably employed, he is benefitting mankind ; 

 " Nihil melius, nihil uberius, nihil libero homine dignius." 

 When Alexander of Macedon enquired of Abdaloninius, a 

 Sidonian Prince, who had been reduced to support himself 



B 



