MEMOTK OF THE AUTHOR. 



xxxi 



Scott, with whom he corresponded on this subject, while 

 he approved of the object, does not seem to have been so 

 sanguine as Sir Henry as to its success. Writing in 

 January 1828, Sir Walter remarks: — ^"A society of 

 arboriculturists would be very valuable. But such pro- 

 prietors usually reside upon their estates in remote corners 

 of the country ; and there would be found practical diffi- 

 culties in getting them to hold frequent meetings, and 

 adopt a joint mode of conducting experimental opera- 

 tions. At the same time, I agree with you that, if such 

 an association could be formed, it might succeed — if 

 managed under the influence of some man of predomi- 

 nant sense, experience, and habits of observation. With- 

 out such an influence to keep a society's attention bent on 

 its proper object, it would, I fear, wander into trifling 

 and trumpery details, as has happened to Agricultural 

 Societies, Literary Societies, Antiquarian Societies, and, 

 I think, most others, which are like Sir Andrew Ague- 

 cheek's system of philosophy, confined to good eating and 

 drinking. . . . But as my habits are not gregarious, 

 I will readily own I may be mistaken." 



As, however, Sir Henry's opinions on all subjects con- 

 nected with arboriculture have invariably, as has appeared, 

 been followed by practical success, we are much incKned 

 to indulge a hope that an institution of the nature recom- 

 mended in the following work, and established in Ireland, 

 may yet, ere long, be formed, without degenerating into 

 either a mere trifling or gregarious assembly, such as the 

 author of Waverley seems to have humorously appre- 

 hended. The little attention which has been given for 

 several years past to the object whose principles and 

 practical details are presented in the " Planter's Guide," 

 may, perhaps, in no small degree, have been owing to the 

 want of such an institution, and the information there 



