4 



ARRANGEMENT OF JMATTERS 



[chap. 



only wanted a little teaching ; that he understood a great part of 

 the subject, and only wanted mfoimation relative to that part 

 which the author happened to think of the greatest importance. 

 By looking on the reader as knowing nothing at all about the 

 matter, the author is led to tell all that he knows. This can do 

 gardeners, and gentlemen w ho have studied something of garden- 

 ing, no harm ; while it must be good, and even necessary, to 

 those who have never had an opportunity of paying close attention 

 to the matter. I make no apology for the minuteness with which 

 I shall give my instructions ; for my business is to teach that 

 which I know ; and those who want no teaching, do not want 

 my book. My opinion is, that any man who is so disposed, may 

 become a good gardener by strictly attending to this W'Ork. If I 

 knew of any other work so likely to effect this purpose, I should 

 not undertake this. It is use ess to know how to write, unless by 

 the use of that talent we communicate something useful to others. 

 The reason w hy books on gardening are read in general with so little 

 benefit, is this ; that they are put together by men (generally 

 speaking, observe) who, though they understand how to do the 

 thing themselves, and though they very sincerely wish to teach 

 others, are unable to convey their instructions in language easily to 

 be understood ; and easily it must be, to be attended with suc- 

 cess ; for, the moment the reader comes to w hat he cannot under- 

 stand, he begins to be weary ; and, the third or fourth occurrence 

 of this sort makes him lay down the book. If he ever take it up 

 again, it is from sheer necessity : and, instead of delight, disgust 

 is likely to be the end of the attempt. 



10. The far greater part of persons who possess gardens, and 

 who occasionally partake in the management of them, really know^ 

 \ery little about the matter. They possess no jwinciples relating 

 to the art : they do things pretty w^ell, because they have seen 

 them done before ; but, for want of proceeding upon principle, 

 that is to say, for the want of knowing the reasons for doing the 

 several things that are done in the garden, they are always in a 

 state of uncertainty : they know nothing of the causes, and, there- 

 fore, are always rather guessing at, than relying upon, the effects. 

 £ shall endeavour, in every case, to give a good reason for that 

 which I recommend ; and, when once the learner knows the rea- 

 son for that which he does, he may be said to have learnt it, and 

 not before. Lord Bacon is well known to have taken great delight 



