XX 



especially from the southern counties of England, 

 whom curiosity or incredulity has lately attracted 

 to this place, I believe there is not one, who has 

 not been both pleased and surprised with the 

 effects produced by the removal of wood of every 

 sort, and all seem desirous to rival them in their 

 own practice. But, as it appears to me, that there 

 are several circumstances which might retard the 

 progress of the art, and render the efforts of its 

 most zealous pupils abortive, I shall beg leave 

 shortly to state them, for the information of those 

 who may feel interested in its success. 



In the first place, it is to be regretted, that 

 owing to the low condition of the art of planting 

 in general, whether of great trees or small, the 

 principles of phytology had not earlier been applied 

 to it. Like digging or ploughing, it is still apt to 

 be considered as a mechanical art^ and no scientific 

 investigation is thought necessary to illustrate or 

 to refTulate it. In Sections III. IV. V. VI. VII., 

 I have done what I could to supply these defects ; 

 but no general effect appears to have been pro- 

 duced by it. Even the periodical reviewers, who 

 have bestowed on the work so much flattering 

 encomium, have not treated planting as an art 

 of science* 



