PEEFACE TO THE FIEST EDITION. 



not mean the smattering of a few obsolete terms, unconnected with any 

 available ideas — which, in too many instances, passes under the impos- 

 ing name of Botany" : but I do mean, that thorough conception of 

 the general nature aad relations of Plants, which may be acquired by 

 the aid of such works as the Botanical Text-Book of Prof. A. Gray. 

 Tn all other employments, it is very properly expected that a workman 

 shall not only be expert in the manipulations of his art, but shall also 

 be well acquainted with the nature of his materials : and I can perceive 

 no good reason why it is not equally incumbent on a practical farmer 

 to understand the true character of those plants, which it is his especial 

 interest either to cultivate or to extirpate. 



If our American youths who are being educated with a view to 

 Agricultural pursuits,"^ were thoroughly instructed in the admirable Text- 

 Book, above referred to, — and were then required to make themselves 

 botanically acquainted with that portion of the vegetable kingdom 

 which annually demands their attention, on the farm, — the Profession 

 would speedily assume a new and engaging aspect. The labors of the field 

 would be blended with the contemplation of facts and phenomena of the 

 deepest interest to inquiring minds, — and Agriculture — instead of being 

 shunned, as an irksome drudgery— would be justly esteemed as one of 

 the noblest employments of a free and intellectual people. 



If the present Essay may in any degree tend to promote that auspi- 

 cious result, the Author will derive a sincere gratification from the 

 belief, that the the time and attention devoted to its preparation have 

 not been wholly misapplied. 



West Chester, Penxa., 

 June, 1847. 



