xliv 



PEEFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



useful than its predecessor. I have embodied in the text as 

 much of the matter of the Notes and Illustrations as could well 

 be done, without incurring the imputation of prolixity; and I 

 have added as much to the latter, on the subject of General 

 Planting^ as could properly be introduced, without seeming to 

 deviate unreasonably into collateral discussion. On the im- 

 portant topics of different modes of planting — on pruning, 

 trenching and draining soils, preparing composts, raising 

 timber for the royal navy (including an examination of Mr 

 Withers's late plan for that purpose,) improving park-scenery 

 by new arrangements, &c. &c. — short but separate disquisitions 

 will be found, which, I trust, will add to the value of the 

 volume. However, the first edition will by no means be lost^ 

 as it will usefully go to the gardeners and foresters of former 

 purchasers. 



Nevertheless, I am well aware that Notes and Illustea- 

 TIONS are not the fashion of the day, and that nine persons in 

 ten who perused, perhaps with interest, the first edition of this 

 Essay, stopped short at once, as soon as the diminished type of 

 the Notes met their eye. In a word, characteristic dulness 

 and interminable prosing are supposed to be inseparable from 

 this species of composition. These things I sensibly regret, 

 because I believe that the Notes and Illustrations form the hest 

 part of the hooh^ and will be found most useful to the general 

 reader. In fact, there was no other way, miless by short 

 separate disquisitions, that information, on the various useful 

 topics just now mentioned, could be conveyed. 



Having said enough on the improvement of the matter in 

 this edition, I should wish to make a few remarks on the 

 probable progress of the art under discussion. It is with great 

 pleasure that I observe the very general, and, I may say, 

 universal assent which has been given, and especially in 

 England, where I least expected it, to the principles laid down 

 in the present Treatise. From this, two things appear to be 

 demonstrated : first, the truth and simplicity of those principles 

 themselves ; and secondly, the triumph which science, plainly 

 deduced from the laws of nature, is sure to obtain over pre- 

 judice or ignorance, however deep-rooted or universal. Of 



