Vlll PREFACE, 



incumbrance to the ground ; this it is which 

 prevents a perseverance in their cultivation. 



Those who have had an opportunity of wit- 

 nessing the above fact, which is now unfortu- 

 nately but too generally felt, and which deters 

 them from planting, I have the pleasure to 

 state from experience, need no longer let it 

 influence them ; for, by following the rules 

 laid down in this publication they may rely on 

 success. It may be said, to speak so con- 

 fidently argues too much self-opinion ; but I 

 think when a man is really in possession of 

 a fact, to assume ignorance is equally con- 

 temptible, with him who is too opiniated ; 

 both are despicable in the eyes of men of 

 sound understanding ; it is not because I have 

 written what my practice and judgment have 

 furnished me with, that I wish every one to 

 follow it ; on the contrary, knowing there are 

 more methods than one, though not equally 

 effective, I should wish those who are con- 

 tent with the success attendant on their own, 

 most decidedly to follow it, until by re- 



