American Orchardist eBook

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. Gentlemen:

Presuming upon your acquiesence, I introduce to your notice this little practical treatise upon one of the most interesting and pleasing branches pertaining to the science of agriculture. The utility of a cheap publication of this kind, for the information and encouragement of our farmers, is unquestionable. If this humble attempt should meet your approbation, and be found to possess a degree of merit calculated to co-operate with your zealous efforts to promote agricultural pursuits and improvements in our country, a knowledge of your character is an ample pledge that you will not withhold your patronage and favour. If, however, it shall appear that 1 have subjected myself to the accusation of having stepped beyond the limits, within which my actual knowledge should be confined, then will a consciousness of laudable motives, of assiduity and fidelity in the collection of experimental facts, remain as my only consolation. I am not unapprized of the almost invincible prejudice, which prevails among our farmers, against what they term book-farming, book-knowledge, &c.&c. ;and the anecdote is fresh in my memory, of an honest farmer, who, on being inquired of Why his neighbour's farm was not productive, replied, because he has booked it to death. These prejudices exist chiefly among those, whose minds are unenlightened, and views unexpanded by that useful knowledge, which is only to be acquired by reading. It must be conceded that almost all improvements are derived from the records of practice and observation; and when we have reason and experience to support, and plain facts to confirm, we may become less tenacious of the rules of our fathers, believing that it may be the reserved privilege of the children, to acquire the skill of producing two spires of grass where their fathers produced but one.