essential to the formation of an accomplished, and 

 distinguished cultivator. The information we derive 

 from study, as from the practical observations of the 

 workings of inanimate nature, will administer to our 

 success, and prevent in a measure the recurrence of 

 errors which flow from inattention, or from the want 

 of some established system of operation. A judicious 

 selection of soil and aspect is necessary to the health 

 of the plant, and will repay our care in the vigor of its 

 growth, and in the improvement of the quality and 

 quantity of its fruit. 



The opinions of foreign writers, however applicable 

 they may be in practice to the mode of cultivation 

 pursued in those regions of which they treat, are not 

 always suited to the climate and soil of that which 

 adopts them. That which is ascertained to be of 

 practical utility in one country, under one climate, 

 may be unfavorable to the production or maturity of 

 the same variety of fruit or vegetables, or ornamental 

 trees in another. 



In some climates, indigenous and exotic plants and 

 fruits, that require the aid of artificial culture and 

 great care in their preservation, are matured in 

 others with comparatively little labor. Unassisted 

 nature performs nearly all that is needful in their pro- 

 duction, relieving man from the toil and anxiety of 

 cultivation, and affording him, at the appropriate sea- 

 son, a portion of her abundance. 



The present flourishing condition of horticulture 

 inour country may, I think, be ascribed to the refined 

 taste and liberality of its citizens, and in a measure to 



