I have read it with great pleasure, and think it will 



be productive of very considerable advantages to all 



persons, who follow your instructions. 



Your treatise is carefully deposited in the Society's 



Library, and has met with much attention. I am. 



Sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



Charles Taylor, Sec. 

 Mr. William Pontexj^ 



Huddersfiddy Yorkshire, 



Extractfrom the Preface to the 24//i Vol. of the Trajis- 

 actions of the Society of Arts^ Kc. "page 8, publish^ 

 edinFeb. 1807. 



*' The mischief and damage arising to plantations 

 in general, from a bad system of pruning, or neglect, 

 induced the late public-spirited Duke of Bedford to 

 direct a series of experiments to be made, at his ex- 

 pence, by W. Pontey, of Huddersfield, on his extensive 

 plantations in the neighbom-hood of Woburn. Mr. 

 Pontey has shewn great industry and judgment in his 

 selection of specimens, and in the clear detail relative, 

 to pruning Forest Trees, which he has communicated 

 in a publication, entitled the Forest Pruner, presented 

 by him to the Society." 



" This system has been pursued by Mr. Salmon, 

 agent to the present Duke of Bedford, under his 

 Grace's auspices, and confirmed by his certificate, as 

 noticed in the present volume. We are happy to add, 

 it is continuitig with spirit under his Grace's particular 

 protection and attention." 



