VI 



PREFACE. 



of improvement would pass them over, and be concentrated 

 upon those, which constitute the luxuries of the table. Against 

 such an abuse of the fundamental principles, upon which the 

 Society was established, we are particularly solicitous to guard. 

 We are aware, that the merits, which the Society may claim, 

 are in proportion to the benefits, which it confers upon the 

 community at large. The most common vegetable, the cab- 

 bage, the potatoe, and other esculent plants of the cottage- 

 garden, will not, and ought not, to receive less attention than 

 the rarest, and most exquisite productions. It is from this 

 point of view, chiefly, that the Society look for the approba- 

 tion of their country. 



Whatever has hitherto been done, has been the effect of the 

 private exertions of individuals : but the Society, being con- 

 scious, that it is labouring for the general good, does not deny 

 itself the hope, that it may, at some future time, obtain publick 

 support, and deserve the countenance and protection of Go- 

 vernment. It is of great consequence to its pursuits, that it 

 should possess a garden of its own, in which not only experi- 

 ments, necessary to assist the theoretical investigations, may 

 be tried ; but the best fruits and vegetables be collected. It 

 will serve as a general magazine to Horticulture, from which 

 genuine seeds, grafts, and plants may be procured. And by 

 cultivating every tree, and vegetable, with care and attention, 

 as there will be an opportunity of doing, in such a garden, 

 the true characters, and distinctions between the several sorts, 

 may be ascertained, and the confusion, that frequently exists 

 among them, be removed. Thus the nomenclature, which 



