PREFACE. 
Some years since, while gratifying my taste for Horticultural 
experiments, I was led to plant seeds of many of our native forest 
trees. The results satisfied me that nothing was wanting but a 
better acquaintance with the nature and habits of these seeds to 
insure success with them as ‘anifocn! y as with any others; conse- 
quently I gave the subject attention, and by observation and ¢x- 
periment learned how to manage not only the trees of our own 
forests, but many foreign varieties. I would not be understood 
to say that I have planted seeds and raised trees of every species 
and variety, but have experimented sufficiently with the different 
species a8 to know whereof I write. My success was such that the 
Farmers’ Club of the American Institute desired ine to give at one 
of their meetings an account of my experiments, which I did briefly. 
This was published asa portion of the Report of the mecting in the 
New York Tribune, and from that copied by other papers throughout 
the country. In consequence thereof, I have received many let- 
ters asking more definite information on different points, so many 
that I have been unable to reply to them so fully as I could have 
wished. 
The following pxges were written for the purpose of giving such 
information as the public seem to desire. I have avoided, so far as 
I could, the use of botanical and scientific terms, having written, 
not for professional horticulturists and men of science, but for prac- 
