vi Preliminary Observations to the Second Volume. 



it is almost impossible for the several Institutions to differ 

 or to dispute, and the good sense of the majority in each is 

 sufficient to check injudicious, obnoxious, or selfish indivi- 

 duals. It is essential to the best interests of the Horticul- 

 tural Society, that a clear and a durable understanding of 

 the intrinsic merits of each class of its Members should be 

 constantly maintained. They are each and severally necessary 

 to its welfare ; and invidious or vain comparisons would be 

 like an estimation of esculents by flowers, or fruits by timber. 

 Reasonings from such loose analogies have always been, and 

 will always continue to be, deceptive and unsatisfactory. 



Men possessed of much worldly influence, and who have 

 extensive connections among distant nations; and men of 

 science or of learning, are the fittest persons to rule the affairs 

 of the Society. The incalculable benefits which have been 

 produced in this kingdom, from the publick and enlightened 

 spirit of Sir Thomas Gresham, Sir John Cutler, and Sir 

 Hans Sloane, are never to be forgotten; but it is to be la- 

 mented that some of the noble foundations of those departed 

 patriots are suffered to slumber or to decay ; however under 

 that regret there is ample consolation, in the continued 

 possession of Sir Joseph Banks, the greatest promoter of 

 Natural knowledge, which this or any other nation ever 

 produced. 



Hitherto, little more than incidental information has been 

 received of the state of Horticulture in other countries ; it 

 still remains to be seen, whether especial inquiries, and judi- 

 cious correspondence, may not rapidly advance the Art of 

 Gardening, and supply a greater number of cultivated vege- 



