PREFACE. 



Having, for the period of fifteen years, had my 

 attention ahnost entirely devoted to the rear- 

 ing up and cutting down of forest trees, I have 

 during that time seen much to convince me that 

 arboriculture is not in that advanced state among 

 us which its real importance demands. 



The present improved condition of agriculture is 

 the natural result of the great attention paid to that 

 science by the landed proprietors and farmers of 

 Great Britain during the past twenty years ; while, 

 upon the other hand, the proper management of 

 plantations has been almost entirely neglected, and 

 this mainly because landed proprietors have not 

 had their attention and interest directed towards 

 the subject. 



Many of our home woods are rapidly dying 

 out, as if by consumption ; yet the cause does not 

 appear to be known among those who have the 

 management of them : and, seeing this state of 

 things, it appears to me very evident, that until 



