PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



xliii 



composed of some of the most illustrious gastrophilists in the 

 metropolis." 



Now, although I sensibly feel how immeasurably less inte- 

 resting arboriculture must be held than eating, or than what 

 the doctor learnedly calls " the science of gastrology," yet I 

 presume to state, in imitation of so great an example, that the 

 present is one of the few English books on WoOD which has 

 been " written from the real experiments of a planter, for the 

 benefit of planters that I have laid down no rule, and 

 recommended no practice, that has not been " proved in my 

 own park," and of which the successful effects have not been 

 witnessed and approved by a committee of both skill and 

 taste, composed of some of the most distinguished planters 

 in this our ancient kingdom." 



Allanton House, 

 . mh Novemler, 1827. 



PEEFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



It is a singular circumstance that the present attempt, how 

 imperfect soever it may be, appears to have been the fii'st 

 made in our language to apply the principles of physiology to 

 practical arboricultm'e. Of wiiters who have treated vegetable 

 physiology as a science there is no want. Of (fibers, who 

 have treated the art of planting practically, there are still 

 greater numbers ; and it shows in a striking point of view the 

 neglected state of planting as an important art, that none of 

 om' distinguished chemists have as yet been induced to furnish 

 us with some popular manual of arboricultural chemistry.* 



Amidst this dearth of information for the use of the young 

 planter, and the extraordinary favour with which the Essay 

 has been received by the public, I have spared no pains to 

 render the present edition less imperfect, and more generally 



* Like " The Elements of Agricultural Chemistry," by Sir H. Davy ; but it 

 would require some acquaintance with wood; as well as knowledge of science. 



