15 



intelligent part of mankind to study 

 ours. 



To say that the opinions and practices 

 of the bulk of mankind, in regard to the 

 training of timber, have been hitherto 

 generally erroneous, may, and will, to ma- 

 ny, appear a very bold assertion ; and 

 one for which we have no right to expect 

 credit, except we can give some proba- 

 ble account of the cause, or causes, why 

 it has so happened. — For it is not pre- 

 tended but men are, in general, suffici- 

 ently ready to adopt what makes clearly 

 and indisputably for their Interest, pro- 

 vided the matter stand fully demon- 

 strated ; Avhich it must be confessed has 

 not been the case. Indeed, it appears, 

 that the persons who have treated the 

 subject, had but very slight ideas of its 

 importance. Generally content with de- 

 tailing old opinions, without examining 

 their tendency, they have, hitherto, done 

 little more than unsettle men's minds, 



