AND DEDICATION. 



body, I certainly could not obtain, although 

 previous to the publication of that work, I 

 privately submitted the same to some of 

 the first public characters, and particularly 

 to Sir Humphry Davy, and to the president 

 and council of the Horticultural Society. 

 Sir Humphry very politely received and 

 acknowledged the perusal of my papers, 

 and with great liberality stated his admis- 

 sion, that to that part of my work which 

 related to the objects of his peculiar study, 

 he found no objection ; at the same time 

 excusing himself from giving an opinion 

 on the practical part, by observing, he did 

 not consider himself possessed of sufficient 

 practical knowledge to give it importance, 

 and expressed his intention to commend me 

 to the president of the Horticultural Society. 

 I dedicated my book to the president and 

 society, and repeatedly applied to them for 

 their opinion, and invited them to an in- 

 vestigation of my demonstrations, but which 

 they uniformly refused ! Nearly six years 

 have now elapsed, and I have never seen 

 any comment of his or theirs on it: however, 



A 3 



