INTRODUCTION. Vll 



elegance of diction or ornament of any kind, 

 his chief wish having been to make himself un- 

 derstood. If the writer has succeeded in his 

 purpose of imparting, in a clear and compre- 

 hensive manner, a body of useful and practical 

 information to the amateur horticulturist, his 

 object will have been accomplished, and he 

 doubts not that a fair success will attend his 

 work. 



Whether he shall himself survive long enough 

 to find reason to be gratified with such success, 

 his great age renders somewhat doubtful ; but 

 if so, it will be pleasing to him to find that he 

 has been useful in his day and generation ; and 

 at any rate he may be allowed to indulge in the 

 reflection, that this has been his object. 



