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PREFACE. 



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The difficulty and obscurity of the Geuus Pinus have long been remarked and regretted by 

 Botanists; and, though so many of its species possess peculiar recommendations to the 

 attention of horticulturists, instructions have been wanting for their better cultivation and 

 management. It is in consequence of the growth of this tribe having been little attended 

 to, and of authors forming their descriptions chiefly from dried and mutilated specimens, that 

 so much confusion has prevailed. Even Linnasus himself seems to have been very partially 

 acquainted with the changes produced by diversity of soil, and the various stages of growth ; 

 and the Hortiis Kemensis^ in which the species are certainly much better distinguished than 

 in any other work, does not enumerate all that are now known, nor does it in every instance 

 discriminate their characters correctly. Conceiving therefore a new arrangement of the 

 Genus to be particularly desirable, I have devoted my attention to it for some years, and 

 have not failed to apply to every source of information connected with the subject, having 

 visited every plantation within many miles of the metropolis, and consulted every author of 



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repute, with a view not only to ascertain the most accurate specific distinctions; but also to 

 collect every fact relative to the culture and uses of every individual species". One of my 

 objects in wTiting this work was to endeavour to promote the growth of deal timber in this 

 country, which might be effected much more than at present, and would certainly prove of 

 national importance. Neither would I overlook the ornamental part, or the improvement of 

 the numerous plantations around the Noblemen and Gentlemen's seats in this kingdom, which 

 at present are composed too much of one species of Pinus, and that not the most beautiful; 

 ,the Scotch Fir. I attribute this to the different species not having been properly pointed 

 out, a defect which is here endeavoured to be remedied. I cannot help lamenting that more 

 has not been done in London towards the promotion of natural science in describing and 

 publishing accounts of the numerous and interesting public museums of natural history here 

 collected; more abundantly perhaps than in any other part of Europe. But collections are 

 piled upon collections and altogether neglected, while new productions are sought with 

 avidity in distant regions, and I cannot but agree with Cuvier in his excellent Eloge on 

 the celebrated Bruguieres, that one cause of this neglect, and perhaps the chief, is the facility 

 of procuring pleasures of all kinds in a gay and rich metropolis, added to the charms of 

 the ftiscinating society in which we live; all these hold out temptations which encroach terribly 



on literary leisure, and only leave room for a few sacrifices to celebrity; which it must be 

 confessed are not advanced by insulated descriptions and minute discussions. 



The most remarkable gardens for the cultivation of Pines in this country are at Pa'ms 

 Hill, which are preferable perhaps to any in Europe, both for variety of species, and excel- 

 lence of growth. A considerable sum of money was formerly made by the gardener every 

 year by selling the cones for seed. Kezu Garde?is likewise furnish many species in high per- 

 fection. Among the most striking are Pinus palustris, probably now the largest in England; 

 Pinus Cembra, annually producing fruit; Pinus Pumilio, Pinus Flakpcnsis, and Pinus resinosa. 



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