* 



2 * * *~,>- ^INTRODUCTION. [BOOK I. 



n^>^^" 



Hereby, alfo, the fineft fruits of France, 

 Spain, Italy, Perfia, and the Weft Indies, 

 are cultivated and brought to early per- 

 fedion in our Northern Clime, which, 

 otherwife, would only be known by name. 

 What are reckoned luxuries when firft 

 introduced, are by ufe converted into ne- 

 ceflaries. Witnefs coffee, tea, fugar, &c. 

 which, although lately introduced, were 

 they prohibited, would not only be miffed, 

 but even longed for by the loweft clafles 

 of the community. 



May not the wealthy eat a jnelon, peach, 

 bunch of grapes, or pine-apple, with as 

 much propriety as drink a bottle of port, 

 claret, champaign, or madeira ? Are thefe 

 not, if well ripened, equally wholefome ? 

 Have they not the moft rational amufe- 

 ment in the production of them ? And does 

 it not, to the contemplative mind, afford a 

 fource of real pleafure ? We are certainly 

 juftified in thinking fo, by recolle&ion of 

 the many extenfive additions and improve- 

 ments which have lately taken place in 

 this elegant branch of horticulture. 



Neverthelefs, there is ft ill ample room 

 for improvement, which, in a fcience fa 



complicated^ 



