THE planter's GUIDE. 



5 



have been indebted for our knowledge of most of the 

 useful and elegant arts. Let us in this instance take 

 the lead ourselves, and bj instituting A Society for 

 THE Improvement of Arboriculture exclusively, 

 endeavour in that department to repay them some por- 

 tion of those weighty obligations. 



It must be acknowledged by every one who has 

 attended to the subject, that arboriculture is the art 

 the most truly neglected in our whole rural manage- 

 ment, and that it can never flourish unless it be studied 

 as a separate profession. Standing, as it certainly does 

 in this country, next in rank and consequence to Agri- 

 cultm'e, it will not do as an appendage to any Society 

 whatever, not even to the Highland, or Great National 

 Society for the Encouragement of Arts and Manufactures 

 in Scotland. But, were it fortunately placed under a 

 separate and intelligent patronage, the fruits of so judi- 

 cious an arrangement would ere long become apparent. 

 Well-informed landholders, useful foresters, and scien- 

 tific nurserymen would speedily rise up, under the foster- 

 ing influence of such a Society. Facts as well as 

 principles, which are now known only to the studious 

 phytologist, would become familiar to all, whether owners 

 of woods, or those engaged in their superintendence ; and 

 while the properties of individuals were gradually rendered 

 more productive, a great accession would be made to the 

 general wealth and intelligence of the country.'" 



Gardening in its highest sense, or the art of creat- 

 ing or embellishing rural scenery, has, within the last 

 century, been carried to considerable perfection in 

 Britain, and has added one more to the number of the 

 fine arts. It was first struck out by the genius of Kent, 

 in the beginning of the last century, after having been 



* Note XL 



