PREFACE 



A new edition of the Guide to the Orchard being called 

 for, it may be proper, in this place, to make a few remarks 

 upon the design of its original publication, and the object 

 steadily kept in view throughout these pages. 



The work of Mr. Lindley was chosen for the basis and 

 model of our undertaking, not because of any supposed 

 inability to prepare an entirely original volume, for having 

 pursued the business of a nurseryman in this city, with spe 

 cial attention to the cultivation of Fruit Trees, for the last 

 forty years, and having been acquainted with the best 

 European gardens and nurseries, the author had on hand 

 an ample amount of material suitable for that purpose. 



Nor were we ignorant of the fact that publications of a 

 similar character are numerous, both in this country and 

 in Europe ; and since the issuing of our first edition in 

 1833, in the United States especially, volume after volume 

 has been issued from the press ; each professing to be an 

 improvement on all others, and claiming attention on the 

 assumed ground of superiority to its predecessors. 



But, alas, forthe state of horticultural, and, more especi- 

 ally, of pomological knowledge amongus, if these jejune pro- 

 ductions, with their multiplied inaccuracies and unphiloso- 

 phical arrangements and classifications, are to be taken as 

 its correct index. At one time we have the bold plagiarist, 

 forgetful of his inverted commas, appropriating to himself 

 the labors of another, and, like the ass in the lion's skin, 

 betraying himself the moment his own voice is heard ; and,, 

 anon, the catalogue compiler assumes the title of author, 

 and after ransacking creation and his own ingenuity pa- 

 rades before the public, with a sounding title, a volume of 

 words— rwords — words. He seems verily to think that the 



