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APPENDIX. 



tries in this respect. The little knowledge I 

 possess on this subject, as well as gardening 

 in general, is certainly mainly attributable to 

 the study of different works which have ap- 

 peared on these subjects ; but because .their 

 authors may not have understood practically 

 what they treated of, is no reason why I should 

 be the less sensible of the obligations I am 

 under to them. Yet, it may be said, these 

 works are mostly produced from ancient wri- 

 tings, as the substance of most of them was 

 known and treated of by our forefathers : but 

 ought this to be allowed to depreciate the 

 merit of their labours ? Would the practical 

 man, I would ask, give himself the trouble to 

 search after these ancient works, did he know 

 of their existence, putting out of the question 

 the expense he would be at, (as most books after 

 a certain date, become scarce, and are then 

 much enhanced in value,) and would he, when 

 their attainment was accomplished, find himself 

 competent to suggest the improvements made 

 by most modern authors? I will (speaking 

 collectively) fearlessly answer with regard to 

 the first, he would not be at the trouble ; and 

 with the second, he would be fully sensible of 

 the wide difference between imaginary and 

 actual powers of improving. Thus might we 

 proceed in the jog trot pace of antiquity, were 



