PREFACE. 



Many works have been written on the Scientific and 

 Botanical branches of Horticulture, while few have ap- 

 peared descriptive of the ornamental and decorative parts 

 of the science, particularly those which relate to the 

 tasteful display and improvement of Pleasure Grounds. 



Taste, which is so various in all pursuits, may perhaps 

 be more easily defined when applied to the principles of 

 Landscape Gardening, than in any other department of 

 Art, where Taste is deemed essential to its importance. 



There are beauties in Nature on which no contrariety 

 of opinion exists, and there are also deformities offensive 

 to every cultivated mind : on these assumptions. Decorative 

 Horticulture claims to be considered an Art, professing, as 



