INTRODUCTION. 



several of whom his experiments have been repeated and 

 the results confirmed, shows that his labours are extensively 

 known and appreciated on the continent of Europe. 



Sir Humphrey Davy in his Lectures on the Chemistry of 

 Agriculture, and Dr. Lindley in his Theory of Horticulture, 

 together with many other writers among his countrymen 

 and countrywomen, have by the adoption of his opinions 

 afforded a gratifying proof of the estimation in which they 

 hold both his theoretic views, and the practical results lie 

 deduced from them. 



A taste for Horticulture has for some years been so 

 universally cultivated, that all classes are familiar ^with 

 Mr. Knight's name as a writer, and the extracts from his 

 papers which are found in many of the periodical publica- 

 tions on Horticulture and Arboriculture of the present day, 

 have caused the readers of these works to be in some degree 

 conversant with the particular subjects on which he has 

 treated ; and though the value of the present work may be 

 diminished by the task of editing it having unavoidably fallen 

 to those who are ill qualified to do justice to the undertaking, 

 they are still cheered by the hope that their imperfect 

 attempt may, nevertheless, by making both Mr. Knight's 

 character and his writings better known, be the means of 

 demonstrating more fully to the world the constant and 

 never-tiring exertions of his mind in the pursuit of know- 

 ledge, and its application to purposes of practical utility 

 for the benefit of his fellow-creatures. 



