PREFACE 



TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



It is a singular circumstance, that the present 

 attempt, how imperfect soever it may be, appears 

 to have been the first made in our language, to 

 apply the principles of physiology to practical 

 arboriculture. Of writers who have treated vege- 

 table physiology as a science there is no want. 

 Of others, who have treated the art of planting 

 practically, there are still greater numbers; and 

 it shows in a striking point of view the neglected 

 state of planting as an important art, that none of 

 our distinguished chemists have as yet been in- 

 duced to furnish us with some popular manual of 

 arboricultural chemistry.* 



* Like " The Elements of Agricultural Chemistry," by Sir H. Davy; 

 but it would require some acquaintance with wood, as well as knowledge 

 of science. 



