PREFACE. 



firmly perfuaded we fliould proceed faftcr on the road to the gene- 

 ral improvement of our plantations, than from all the writings 

 and examples of the ableil men, or even from any other method 

 that can be devifed for the purpofe. This would be making a 

 man of real merit in his profellion juftly confpicuous ; it would, 

 detecl ignorance and quackery, and expofe the impoftures of the 

 pretended patriot nurferymen, who fell cheap for the good of 

 their country. Were this the cafe, every man of abilities would 

 exert them, both as the means of fupporting his reputation, and 

 procuring his bread ; — we fhould immediately fee a very material, 

 difference in the equality of common fale plants from their im- 

 proved culture, and the bufinefs would then only be carried on 

 by thofe who were able to condud: it properly, and for the pub- 

 lic benefits 



Of air quacks I know, next to tliofe in phyfic, who rob us of 

 our healths and lives, the mofl; dangerous are quacks in nurfery- 

 gardening ; — they not only rob us of our money, but, what is far 

 worfe, keep us long in the anxious expe6lation of what we never 

 enjoy. To the injuries we fuffer by bad Foreft-trees and Hedge- 

 plants, which are many and great, others may be added of a 

 mofl difagreeable and hurtful nature. After a man has planted 

 an orchard, furniflied his kitchen-garden with Elpalier and 

 Wall- trees of kinds agreeable (as he believes) to his tafle, or 

 his convenience and profit, been at a confiderable expence in 

 the culture of them, and waited many years in hopes of a grate- 

 ful return, for his money and iabour,~yet after all this, when 

 the trees become fruitful, if he finds himfelf utterly difappointed, 

 and, in place of the forts he required, has nothing he wanted, 

 but perhaps every thing he diflikes, I need not mention . how. 



