PREFACE. 



1. The proper uses of a Preface appear to 

 be, to give the reader information, which may 

 be useful, during the perusal of the work to 

 which it is prefixed , to explain the nature and 

 object of the work ; to point out the method of 

 the arrangement of its several parts; and, in 

 short, to afford the means of due preparation 

 for the task the reader is entering upon ; which 

 preparation is always a great advantage to the 

 author as well as to the reader. 



2. As to the nature of the work, it is, I hope, 

 pretty clearly stated in the Title Page. The 

 object evidently is to cause the art of gardening 

 to be better understood and practised than it 

 now is in America; and, very few persons will 

 deny, that there is, in this case, plenty of room 

 for improvement. America has il aiid climate 

 far surpassing those of England ; and yet she is 

 surprisingly deficient in variety as well as qua- 

 lity of garden products. I am not alluding to 

 things of ornament, or appertaining to luxuri- 

 ous enjoyments; but, to things that are really 

 useful, and that tend to profit and to the pre- 

 servation of health, without which latter, life 

 Is not worth having. It is incredible to those, 

 who have not had occasion to observe the fact, 

 how large a part of the sustenance of a coun- 

 try-labourer's family, in England, comes out 

 of his little garden. The labourers of England 

 are distinguished from those of other countries 



