viii PREFACE. 



me to this undertaking, I had fubfcriptions 

 from many noblemen, gentlemen and ladies : 

 and now I return every one my moft hum- 

 ble thanks for the honour they did me. I 

 am convinced my labour will be of fervice to 

 thofe who follow all the rules ; but it muft 

 not be expefted that old trees will bear 

 more fruit the firll year after pruning than 

 they did before ; an improvement, how- 

 ever, may be vifible to any curious and 

 impartial obfervcr. Though the young 

 wood procured by proper pruning will 

 bear the firft year in many kinds of trees ; 

 yet in others it will not till it be two or 

 three yeax^s old, as I have mentioned in 

 the rules for pruning. 



Neither can a tree be much helped by 

 mere cutting, unlefs the roots and borders 

 in which they grow be ufed as directed ; 

 which work I ar.i afraid will be neglefted 

 by feveral practitioners, who defpife books, 

 and take a pleafure in rendering them ufe* 

 lefs to others J but there are many young 

 men who love to read for the fake of im- 

 provement, and to fvich, I hope this vv^ork 

 will be ferviceable, 



A 



