TO HIS GRACE 



THE DUKE OF BEDFORD, 



MY LORD, 



HOWEVEH patronage may be made to 

 serve unworthy purposes, it has frequently been 

 beneficial, both to authors and the public, by 

 stamping a consequence and currency upon 

 what is, in itself, useful. — Had a doubt been 

 entertained whether Rural Science required such 

 an addition as the present performance, so far 

 from your Grace's patronage being requested, 

 the book itself would not have appeared. 



How much the example and influence of 

 your illustrious Brother and Predecessor added 

 to the improvement of almost every branch of 

 Rural Economy, the faithful pen of History will 

 record ; — nor will it be forgotten, that the im- 

 provement of Timber was an object of his soli- 

 citude. — To have been deputed, by him, to 

 superintend that object, will always be consider- 



