own experience, we have cautiously given it in his own words: likewise, where interesting information lies entangled in a singularity of manner, from which it could not well be extricated, we have marked the passages containing it, as literal quotations;--to distinguish them from others, which, having been written in a manner more properly didactic, or brought to that form by retrenchment or correction, we consider as being more fully intitled to the places we have assigned them.

THE articles TIMBER, HEDGEROWS, and WOODLANDS, are altogether new*, being drawn from a considerable share of experience, and an extended observation.

THE Sections on RURAL ORNAMENT, are likewise new, if anything new can be offered on a subject, upon which so much has been already written. Taste, however, is a subject upon which all men will think and write differently, even though their sources of infor

* Excepting such extracts and quotations as are marked and have their respective authorities subjoined.

mation may have been the same. WHEATLEY, MASON, and NATURE, with some EXPERIENCE, and much OBSERVATION, are the principal sources from which this part of our work was drawn: if we add that it was planned, and in part written, among the magnificent scenes of nature, in Monmouthshire, Herefordshire, and Gloucestershire, where the rich and the romantic are happily blended, in a manner unparalleled in any other part of the Island, we flatter ourselves no one will be dissatisfied with the origin: of the production, let the Publick speak.

xxxi

ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE

SECOND EDITION.

To this SECOND IMPRESSION, we have been enabled to make considerable ADDITIONS; particularly to the Subject RURAL ORNAMENT. The REMARKS on ORNAMENTED PLACES, as well as the MINUTES on our own PRACTICE, which are now first printed, are transcribed from the rough memoranda, that were written at the times of observation, or as the incidents and reflections occured.

On the subject of PLANTING, too, will be found some additional information; more especially in the Sections Woods, and TIMBER GROVES.

It may also be right to mention, here, that we have omitted to insert, in this Edition, Mr. FARQUHARSON'S Paper on the

propagation of the Scotch Fir; a tree which, now, when the superior merits of the Larch are ascertained, can seldom be planted with propriety.

We have likewise thought it right to omit some remarks on the SALE AND FELLING OF TIMBER; a subject which does not properly belong to Planting, and is much less compatible with Rural Ornament. We therefore confine this Work to the PRODUCTION OF WOODLANDS, whether useful or ornamental, and refer the Reader, for their GENERAL MANAGEMENT, a subject in itself of great extent and importance, to the different Works which we have published on RURAL ECONOMY: a list of which will appear at the close of these Volumes.

LONDON, December 1795.

PLANTING

AND

RURAL ORNAMENT.

GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJects.

THE earth produces an almost infinite variety of Plants, possessing various properties, and different degrees of strength and stature. In the vegetable, as in the animal world, the stronger subdue the weaker: the herbaceous tribes bow to the shrub, and this to the more robust forest tree; and, in an unpeopled country, a state of woodiness prevails. The interior parts of America are at this day a forest: the Continent of Europe, too, has still its forests; and England once was famous for her's.

As inhabitants increase, woodiness gives way to husbandry and the arts; not merely as an VOL. I.

B