PREFACE. vit 



in Horticulture is still extremely vague, and unsettled, may 

 be rectified, and better denned ; which will be a matter of no 

 small importance to the improvement of this Science, and Art. 

 Measures are, at present, in train for the attainment of that 

 object; but the means of the Society, unaided, as they hitherto 

 have been from the publick, are small, and insufficient for the 

 magnitude of the proposed ends. For, however great the 

 zeal and liberality of some individual Members of the Society 

 may be, it behoves those, to whom the conduct of its affairs, 

 and the care of its interests are more particularly entrusted, 

 to act with prudence and circumspection, and not to involve 

 themselves in schemes, to which the resources of the Society 

 are inadequate. That undertaking, therefore, however use- 

 ful, and desirable, must be begun upon a confined scale, pro- 

 portioned to the present abilities of the Society : and the 

 hope of its being enlarged, and perfected, must depend upon 

 the contingency of favourable circumstances, which, in pro- 

 cess of time, may occur. 



One consideration more it will be proper to suggest. There 

 is a close affinity between Agriculture and Horticulture ; and 

 though they ought not to be brought into collision with one 

 another, yet they may come into contact, and afford one ano- 

 ther reciprocal help. Improvements, made in the one, may 

 be rendered applicable to the other ; and a tacit co-operation 

 may take place between them, with great advantage to both. 

 It may happen, that an article, produced in the garden, may 

 be an acquisition to the field, and that another from the field 

 may, with propriety, be added to the stock of the garden. 



