141 



two methods is deserving of the preference, I leave to the 

 decision of the impartial. But I will take the hberty to add 

 that, as I write chielly for tlie practical, not for the specula- 

 tive improver, probably those planters will be found to judge 

 most candidly, in this competition between the systems, who 

 have themselves tried the pj'aclice of the art. 



Thus, I have endeavoured, in the course of the foregoing 

 observations, to develop and illustrate certain principles, for 

 the improvement of this art, and also that of general plant- 

 ing; which principles, though derived from science, may 

 not attract the notice they deserve. It is only on an ac- 

 quaintance with vegetable physiology and the anatomy of 

 plants, with the habits they display, and the organs and 

 properties they possess, that any sound foundation can be 

 laid for practical arboriculture. The lessons suggested by 

 this inquiry, and the conclusions to which it has led, are 

 the fruit of long experience, and a careful induction of facts 

 and experiments, the only safe and true method of philoso- 

 phizing on any subject. From what has been said, the in- 

 experienced planter will see, of how much importance it is 

 for him, in this as in other things, to distrust established 

 dogmas, to adopt some phytological inquiry as the ground- 

 work of his practice, and to think for himself. 



Yet there are those who may imagine, that, in a Treatise 

 professing to be practical, I have dwelt unnecessarily long 

 on the exposition of principles. But they may rest assured, 

 that no method could have been devised more certain, than 

 a thorough acquaintance with them, to shorten the road to 

 knowledge. Without this, the utmost diligence of the planter 

 is being at sea without a compass. Accurate practice and 

 manual dexterity are soon acquired, and can succeed only 

 when made subservient to principles, and to a careful study 

 of those beautiful but simple methods which nature pursues 

 in perfecting her works. 



