PREFACE. 



which men commonly more fail in, neglect, 

 and have cause to repent of, than that they 

 did not begin planting betimes." 



To begin then methodically, and with a 

 due regard to all parts of my subject, keep- 

 ing in view our own High Peak climate, 

 its various soils, and varied aspects of si- 

 tuation, and the comparative elevations of 

 our division of the county generally. I 

 commence by declaring myself as adverse 

 to pruning of timber plants ; and to render 

 this unnecessary in future times, I strongly 

 impress on every one who wishes to im- 

 prove his estate in beauty, shelter, and in 

 value, to act on " the old adage," " If you 

 wish to have big trees, then plant a little 

 one !" And having first placed a good 

 fence to protect the land you intend to 

 plant upon, give to each tree of your se- 

 lection, liberty to receive the quantity of 

 nourishment from the earth, and to enjoy 



