PREFACE 



OF 



THE AUTHOR. 



the many publications that have appeared on the man- 

 agement of Fruit and Forest Trees, it may be thought super- 

 -fluous to add ; and, indeed, so litde am I accustomed to the 

 practice of writing, that I feel no small degree of reluctance in 

 offering any thing to public inspection ^ but an entire convic- 

 tion of the advantages to be derived from the observations and 

 directions contained in the fjUowing pages, joined to the im- 

 portunity of many of the most competent judges, has deter- 

 mined me to make my method of pruning and training, and 

 the success attending it, as public as possible. 



Having long observed, the scanty crops both on wall and 

 standard trees that have followed the usual mode of pruning 

 and training, I was led to make many experiments, in order to 

 discover, if it were possible, a more successful method. Nor 

 have my endeavours been in vain ; for, after following a new 

 mode for several years, I can with pleasure affirm, that the 

 quantity of fruit has been remarkably increased, and the qual- 

 ity greatly improved. 



I have in the following pages stated many facts, to evince 

 the utility of the composition recommended, and to induce 

 others to make a fair trial, which may be done at a very tri- 

 fling expence. 



I only request of those who entertain any doubts, that 

 •ihey will make choice of two trees of the same kind, as near 

 j^s may be in the same state of health or d^-cay, and having equal 



