THE PLANTEE'S GUIDE. 



'55 



Yet, in this state of things, there is reason to suspect, 

 that a prejudice still exists, at least in England, against 

 any attempt to supply these defects, and to raise it to the 

 rank of a regular art. In either division of the island 

 the attempt will be deemed a bold one, and by some 

 treated as altogether visionary. The only ground on 

 which I venture to look for a different result in my own 

 country, is not laid in any fanciful theory, however in- 

 genious, but in the laws of vegetation plainly applied to 

 practice. In attaining the object, I shall strive, in the 

 words of a great orator, (which have been chosen to grace 

 my title-page,) " so to adopt the ministration of art as 

 humbly to imitate nature ; to tread in her footsteps, 

 wherever they are to be found, and to strike out a kindred 

 path wherever they are wanting," It is on such prin- 

 ciples alone that I can hope to communicate to this 

 neglected practice some stability from arrangement, and 

 some light from science. 



