PREFACE. 



It may be thought presumptuous in a 

 person who has never had the curiosity to 

 peruse the British classic authors on plant- 

 ing and timber — Evelyn, Hanbury, Mar- 

 shall, Miller, Poxtey — to make expe- 

 riment of the public sufferance. The au- 

 thor does not, however, think any apology 

 necessary ; as, if the public lose time unpro- 

 fitably over his pages, he considers the blame 

 attachable to them, not to him. A WTiter 

 does not obtrude as a speaker does, but 

 merely places his thoughts within reach. 



As the subject, notwithstanding its great 

 importance, might, jier se^ be felt dry and 



