PREFACE. v 



attending, as it both affords innocent amusement, improves 

 the taste, and renders the mind susceptible of the beauties of 

 nature. It is, accordingly, included in the plan of the Society : 

 and the botanist, or more properly the florist, as well as the 

 artist, whose skill and genius are employed in laying out 

 and beautifying grounds, are, therefore, very fitly admitted to 

 fellowship with the Horticulturist. They will find their places 

 under the head of Ornamental Gardening, as it is termed in 

 the Society's Charter. 



But utility, as manifested in the production of wholesome, 

 nourishing, and agreeable food, in the introduction of new 

 vegetables, and fruits, or in the amelioration of those, which 

 are already in use, in which things so much may be done ; in 

 short, in multiplying and improving some important sources 

 of subsistence, remains the chief and primary design. It is 

 here, where the Society knows that it can become most truly 

 useful to the country ; and it is anxious not to narrow its 

 views, nor to limit its exertions. 



Among the productions, which serve as food, the fruits are 

 peculiarly attractive. There is something charming and de- 

 lightful in their cultivation, as well as in their enjoyment : 

 and he, whose mind was not steadily fixed upon things, gene- 

 rally and essentially useful, might easily be tempted to swerve 

 from the original purpose, and become a Pomologist, by pre- 

 ference, instead of being a Gardener. Those bumble, but 

 valuable productions of the Kitchen Garden, the ordinary 

 vegetables, which feed the largest class of the community, 

 would, in that case, be overlooked and neglected ; the efforts 



