Ixxxiv TO THE READER 



ments, and Advantages (so furnished, as I hope shall neither 

 reproach the Author, or repent the Reader] it might not seem 

 superfluous to have premised any thing here for the En- 

 couragement of so becoming an Industry. There are divers 

 Learned^ and judicious Men who have preceded Me in this 

 Argument ; as many, at least, as have undertaken to Write 

 and Compile vast Herbals, and Theaters of Plants ; of which 

 we have some of our own Country-men, (especially, the most 

 Industrious and Learned Mr. Ray] who have (boldly I dare 

 affirm it) surpass'd any, if not all the Foreigners that are 

 extant : In those it is you meet with the Description of the 

 several Plants, by Discourses, Figures, Names, Places of Growth; 

 time of Flourishing, and their Medicinal Virtues ; which may 

 supply any deficiency of mine as to those Particulars ; if for- 

 bearing the Repetition, it should by any be imputed for a defect, 

 though it were indeed none of my design : I say, these things 

 are long since performed to our hands : But there is none 

 of these (that I at least know of, and are come to my perusal) 

 who have taken any considerable pains how to Direct, and 

 Encourage us in the Culture of Forest-Trees (the grand defect 

 of this Nation) besides some small sprinklings to be met 

 withal in Gervas Markham, old Tusser, and of Foreigners, 

 the Country-Farm long since translated out of French, 

 and by no means suitable to our Clime and Country : 

 Neither have any of these proceeded after my Method, and 

 particularly, in Raising, Planting, Dressing, and Governing, 

 ^ffc. or so sedulously made it their business, to specific the 

 Mechanical Uses of the several kinds, as I have done, which 

 was hitherto a great desideratum, and in which the Reader 

 will likewise find some things altogether New and Instruct- 

 ive ; and both Directions and Encouragements for the Propa- 

 gation of some Foreign Curiosities of Ornament and Use, 

 which were hitherto neglected. If I have upon occasion 

 presumed to say any thing concerning their Medicinal pro- 



