The preface 



AFTER the great number of books that have been publifhed 

 on Gardening in general, fome of them by men of learn- 

 ing and obfervation, it may to many appear unnecefTary, and 

 even prefumptuous, to offer any thing new to the Public on that 

 fubjecfl : But the Author of the following fheets flatters himfelf, 

 that, on an attentive perufal of them, thefe impreffions will be 

 removed ; that the fyftem is far from being exhaufted ; that the 

 befl rules hitherto diredled are here extended and improved ; 

 and that fo many new obfervations are made, as to render a 

 very confiderable part of the work an original performance. 



To relate the many pleafures and advantages that attend the 

 fkilful pradlice of Gardening in all its various branches, but 

 particularly in that of noble and extended plantations, would ill 

 become my humble talents, after the high encomiums beflowed 

 on it by the greateft antient and modern authors. It is enough 

 for me to fay, it has been the favourite ftudy and amufement of 

 the greateft and wifeft Princes, Philofophers, Lawgivers, and 

 Conquerors, many of whom have gladly retired from the ambi- 

 tious purfuits of life, and enjoyed more folid and rational plea- 

 fures in the virtuous innocent employments of planting, and 

 cultivating their gardens and farms, than in all the magnificence 

 and luxury of Courts. 



