IF ever Book deriv'd Honour from the Person to whom it was Dedicated , Your Lordship's Name alone in the Front of this Work would secure its Reputation , and justifie the Presumption of our Address . Your Lordship 's particular Knowledge of the Authour , and Penetration into the Subject he Treats off ( and all the Secrets of Horticulture ) gives your Lordship double Title to this Version : But as it was from your Lordship's Approbation , that this ( no easie Work ) was undertaken by Us ; So it is under the same Influence it hopes to Live and Prosper : In this Confidence we Humbly Offer it , and our Selves to your Lordship's Protection , as

BEfore I enter upon the matter of the Subject I have undertaken , I think my Self obliged to advertise you , That Gardening is not among us Moderns , what it was in the first Ages of the World . In those early times 't is probable , they knew no other Gardens than those of Fruits and Legumes , which we now call Fruit and Kitchin-Gardens ; whereas in our Days , there are several other sorts besides them , some being for Parterres and Flowers , some for Nurseries , some only for plain Gardens for Common Use , and others for Rare and Medicinal Plants , &c.

So great a multiplicity of different sorts of Gardens , affording no less diversity of employments for Gard'ners , in process of time , introduced several Classes of them ; some being simply called Gard'ners , others taking the quality of Florists , and others well deserving the Title of Botanists , and others being named , * Verbatim . Marsh Gard'ners . Market Gard'ners , besides those that apply themselves only to the raising and maintaining of Nurseries , for which there wants yet a particular Term , unless we should call them Nursery Gard'ners .

In the explication of the Original , and establishment of which several Ranks of Gard'ners , I think it will not be impertinent to bestow a few Lines , before we pass further .

My Opinion in this Matter , is , That the First Man having been Created in a Garden , and received Orders after his Transgression , to till the Earth , The Original of the Diversity of Gardens . Ex ea vives in laboribus omnibus diebus vitae tuae . Genes. cap. v. and to get his Maintenance out of it by the Sweat of his Brows . It follows from thence , that one of the chiefest Employments , both of Himself and his first Descendants , was to apply themselves to the culture of Fruits and Legumes ; that being then the Function which alone supplyed Humane Kind , with all the necessaries of Life . And indeed the Ground so tilled , did it not consist of true Fruit and Kitchin-Gardens ? And consequently , because in those first Ages , no other Gardens were known but such , there could be no other Gard'ners neither , but those which govern'd them , who may on that account , be justly esteemed the first of the whole Order of Gard'ners . For the Patriarchs properly speaking , were those first Fruit and Kitchin-Gard'ners , and continued to perform that Function , till being diverted by their Application to the Invention of Arts , they were obliged to make use of the Service of some principal Domestick to help them in their Gardens , who disdained not to take the Name of that we commonly understand by the Term of Gard'ner .

But in the Ages following , as soon as Men thought they had made a sufficient provision for their Necessities , and there begun to be establish'd among them , some distinction of Degrees and Fortunes ; it hapned that the Pleasures of the Sight and Smell , inspired some Persons with the Curiosity to gratifie them with Flowers agreeable to one or both of those Senses , and accordingly , they begun to gather together some of all those Beautiful Plants which they observ'd so curiously to enamel , and so admirably to perfume the Fields , where they were before confusedly dispersed .

Thus was the Culture of Flowers begun indeed by such Gard'ners as those we just now mentioned , because there were no others that could do it ; but when Men had a mind to have so great a number of them , as is now practised by way of Ornament , to the palaces of Great Persons , they begun to make particular Gardens of them which they called by a name proper to a Flower Garden ; and because it was not possible for one Gard'ner at the same time , to manage the Culture of so great a number of Fruits , Legumes , Flowers , Shrubs , &c. as were then required , there was a necessity of establishing a second Class of Gard'ners , to ease those of the first , which new Gard'ners were commonly named Florists , to distinguish them from the others , which were called only plain Gard'ners . Flower Gard'ners or Florish .

I might tell you here by the way , that in those times , Orange and Limon-trees , were perhaps look'd upon as Trees only for Flowers , just as the Myrtles , Jessimins , and Laurustinus-Trees , &c. are now , the delicacy of Mens palates being not arrived to that degree of Luxury , to seek after so many sorts of Relishes , Sawces , and seasonings as now ; so that 't is very possible , that Limon and Orange-trees might then belong only to the Province of the Florists .

But yet methinks it may be more probably affirmed , that in those early times , those Trees were not distinguished from Fruit-trees , since they are truly so ; and therefore I am apt to believe , they were cultivated by the first Gard'ners only for their Fruit , and that the rather , because the first Culture of the Earth being begun in hot and temperate Countries ; the slavery and trouble of Boxes , and Conservatories , which in our Climates they cannot be without , were there of no use at all . It was therefore the rigour of the Winter Season in cooler Regions that gave occasion to those Inventions for the preserving of those plants that were of too tender a Constitution to endure any great Cold , and then the Gard'ners of the second Class , who otherwise were not over-much taken up with the Culture of their Flowers , begun to be charged with the care of Orange and Limon-trees .

And further , the affectation of Men to gratisie the Pleasure of their Eyes , inciting them to push on things to more and more Perfection ; there came first into the minds of Noble Persons , some conceits of Ranging those Flowers with a little more agreeableness and Symmetry than was practised by the first Curiosi's , which gave the first beginning to Parterres , or Flower-plots among Florists , the first of which , in all probability , were but * D 〈…〉 pez . cut pieces shaped after but a plain and gross manner . But afterwards there were some made of another fashion , called Embroidery Fashion , which were better contrived , and more delightful than the other , with which two sorts , the World contented themselves for several Ages , so that Gardens were not accompanied with any other Beauties than those , till in these last times , Curiosity , Good Judgment , and Fancy , and Magnificence it self being grown by little and little , to an extraordinary heighth , our Age which excells in all that Humane industry is able to invent , has given in particular , by the ingenious skill of the famous Mr. Le Nostre , the last perfection to this part of Gardening , which appears by so many Canals , Water-Works , Cascades , Spouting Fountains , Labyrinths , Bowling Greens , Terrases , &c. Ornaments indeed that are new , but such as in earnest , do wonderfully set off the natural Beauty of a Garden .

Having spoken largely enough of the first and second Class of Gard'ners , Market or Marsh or Kitchin-Gard'ners . I proceed to the third , which is of those which meddle neither with Fruits nor Flowers , but only with Kitchin-plants , whose Original might come from some of our first Gard'ners , who being seated near some very populous Cities , thought good to plant some particular Gardens of Herbs , in hopes they might make a considerable gain of them in the publick Markets , and because Grounds that were a little fat and moist seemed to them most proper , as well for the managing the Culture , as promoting the abundance , and bigness , and height of every Plant , they chose low places to make those kinds of Gardens in ; nay , and perhaps such places had been formerly perfect Fenns or Marshes , which were afterwards drained and laid dry , so that in Vulgar Speech , those sorts of Gard'ners were termed Marsh Gard'ners , which was as much as to say , Gard'ners of dryed Marshes or Fenns . And the vent of those Herbs , proving by the success so profitable to those that made it , stirred up Mens Industry to multiply that sort of Gardens , even in very dry and sandy places , and to supply with their frequent Waterings , and improvements with plenty of Dung , the defects of goodness in the Ground .

This Account which I here give , establishes clearly three Classes of Gard'ners very different one from the other , without mentioning the other two Classes , viz. that of those Gard'ners that mind only Nurseries , and the Nursery Gard'ners ▪ Botanists . other of those that confine themselves to the Culture of Rare and Medicinal Plants ; and yet 't is certain , there are some very able and knowing Persons , that make it their Pleasure and Business too , to cultivate both of them , and to perform it with Success and Reputation .

But as for my own inclination , it was always fixed to that sort of Gard'ning that was known in the infancy of the World , and practised by our first Parents , so that for a long time , I have particularly applyed my self to the Culture of Fruit , and Kitchin Gardens . And by this Application , having not only discovered a great number of Beauties , but likewise a great many Faults that are committed in that sort of Gardening , I cannot but think my self obliged before all things , to describe them carefully , that they may be avoided .

I find then first , that commonly these sorts of Gardens are not only unfurnish'd with what they should , and might easily have for each season of the Year , whether Fruits or Legumes , but that besides , they are ill contrived in the Disposition and Ranking of the things contained in them .

Secondly , That there appears but little skill and capacity in most of the Gard'ners that cultivate them , and as little understanding in the Masters that employ them , to know how to direct them better ; so that usually 't is the fault both of the Owners , and their Gard'ners too , that those sorts of Gardens come short of yielding either that Pleasure or Profit they might otherwise do , and which was expected from them .

I will do what I can , to remedy those great Failings , as well out of Obedience to the Orders I have received to that effect , as out of an inclination to pleasure others , an inclination which I dare affirm natural to me , and especially in affairs of Gardening , which of it * Agriculture is an Art truly noble , and capable to ennoble its worthy professours ; most of which are so generous and communicative , that they take an extreme Pleasure in letting the whole World see their Works ; and when they happen tomake any prosperous experiment , they have no greater , joy than to declareto such as have a mind to know them ; the means they used to succeed in it , whereas commonly the humour of other Artists is to make a Mystery of all things , and disingenuously to keep to themselves alone , the new Discoveries they have made in their Art . Xenoph●n , self inspires a Man with the obliging humour of doing good Offices . For which purpose I undertook to compose and publish this Treatise , as thinking it might effectually be a useful work , if , as I believe , I may , and as I propose to my self to do , I shall be so successful to give any assistance to ingenious Gentlemen to order their Gardens with a more advantageous Conduct , and at the same time direct their Gard'ners to execute their Master's Intentions better than hitherto , and consequently by the means of a well managed Culture , how to reap those advantages which the Earth bestows only upon the Laborious and Industrious . Besides which , three other principal reasons have obliged me to write .

The first was the little instruction , I observed was to be gathered from so many Books , which have been made upon this Subject in all Ages , and in all Languages . 'T is true , we have a great deal of Obligation , not only to some * Colum●'la , Cato , Varre , Theophrastus , Xenoph●n , Geopenna . ancient Authors , that have so solidly treated of general Agriculture , but likewise to some modern Writers which have imparted to the publick , their particular improvements in this Art . But we are most of all obliged to some * Under the Title of Memoires of the Curate of Enonville . Persons of Eminent Quality , who under , the title of the Memoires or Observations of the Famous Curate of Enonville , have so politely written of the Culture of Fruit-trees . And truly I must confess , it was from them I had the first views of the principal Ornaments of our Gardens , as well as those of the Pleasure and Advantage we reap from such of them as are well managed . But then to balance these few good Authors , what a multitude of other Books have we to exclaim against , with which we are overwhelmed ? The most part of which , I may without injustice affirm , are not to be lookt upon otherwise than as troublesom Translations , and nauseous Repetitions of several old Maxims , which I hope , I shall carefully mark out to you , and demonstrate at the same time to be for the most part faulty , or at least very insignisicant .

The second Reason that obliges me to write , is the assurance I have , that I am the Cause of peoples acting erroneously in many Gardens , though it be the most innocently in the World on my side , which proceeds from the inconsiderate conduct of certain Persons that being prejudiced with too favourable a conceit of my Abilities in this kind , when they see what I do in our Kitchin Gardens , and to our Fruit-trees , are sometimes tempted blindly to imitate my Practice ; but because they are ignorant of my Principles , and think it would reflect too much upon their Reputation , to stoop so low as to ask me them , they venture to guess at them themselves , thinking without doubt that nothing is so easie as to hit them right .

I cannot forbear telling them , and I desire them not totake it ill , that 't is a very rare thing to guess right inalmost any sort of matter whatsoever ; and though it be true , that this of our Art is not at all difficult to understand when 't is illustrated and made out with good Reasons , yet most commonly people are not very lucky in hitting upon them at a venture , without some instruction ; for alas , by following their first imaginations , they often run the hazard of acting just the contrary to what I practise , and consequently to what they design , when they think of nothing but guessing .

For Example , in matter of Pruning , one Gentleman , because he observes some short Branches upon my Trees , says presently , he sees well enough , that my way of pruning is to cut short , and keeps to that . Another , because he has seen some long ones upon them , concludes as peremptorily on his Side , that my method is to cut long , and that he fully understands it . Lastly , a third , because he has once observed me at the same time , to cut some Branches short , and others long ; if another time he returns and sees any Trees with a different Face from what he expected , presently accuses me of uncertainty in my Principles ; nay , and takes the liberty to say , he sees much inconstancy in my pruning , and therefore , that I have no certain Rule to go by in that Operation , and thereupon as he fansies , makes the finest reflections in the World , in Order to take for the future a quite disserent way from mine .

The first being one of that sort of hasty Spirits , that think they can comprehend any thing at first sight , makes , as I may say , great Massacres upon the Trees , whilst thinking to imitate my manner of pruning , he takes a Resolution to cut close in all occasions .

The second , with the like Intention , ruines in little time the Beauty of his Trees , by leaving those Branches long , which should be cut short .

And lastly , the third salls into such a perplexity , that he knows not which way to take .

These are the Gulss into which the false Reasonings from bare Conectures and probabilities lead and decoy Men. And therefore though I should do nothing else in this Book , but give an account of my Conduct , by explaining for Example , what sort of Branches I cut short , and what I leave long ; what Trees I leave loaden with more Branches , and which with fewer , &c. with the motives why I do so , I think it would be no small benefit to the Publick , that they who shall be thus informed of them , may not torment their Heads so much any more with guessing , nor consequently be so easily induced to venture upon erroneous Methods .

This done , if my Conduct be approved it will be imitated , at which I shall be extreamly satisfied , because of the interest I have , that every one should be pleased ; and if it be not liked , it will be condemned , and perhaps may incite some charitable censurer to publish a better , at which I shall be no less pleased , because of the passionate desire I have to improve my self to more and more perfection in this matter .

In fine , the third and last reason that obliges me to write , is the hopes I have , that the reading of this Book will be advantageous in two other Respects , of which I think I ought to make some account .

The first is , That every one of my Maxims being fully understood in their whole extent , as I intend they should , and as they may be , by what I have written to explain them , will , if I mistake not , give some light to direct people to take better methods in Gardening . But if through Malice or Ignorance , any Person shall follow one part of any of my Rules , without observing the other , I am confident he will find himself very much deceived , and therefore do here sincerely advertise all concerned , to observe that Caution , that I may not be responsible for all the inconveniences they will infallibly fall into , as often as they shall scruple entirely to believe me .

The second is , because most of those unskilsul Gard'ners , as have seen only with a Cursory view what I do , or perhaps have only heard of it by the Relation of others , if they succeed ill , as it but too often happens , they presently have an excuse ready , and without scruple discharge themselves of their Faults , by throwing them on me ; they make me the Author of all their mis-managements , thinking to Authorize by my Name what they cannot otherwise defend ; they will needs have me to have brought in such and such a use , which never entred intomy thoughts , and say they have done such and such things , purposely to imitate me , and to let the World see whether there be so much reason to imitate me , as is pretended . Against these Pleas , I shall now at least have an irrefragable justification in Writing , so that it being in no Man's power to pretend I have said any thing but what I have really said , I shall by this means prevent such imputations for the future , and perhaps * As it is a thing of great use , to work skilfully in Agriculture , so it is much more pernicious to do any thing in it ill , than to do nothing at all . Xencplion . Sola res rustica qua sine dul tatione prexima , & quasi consanguinea sapientiae est , ta● disientibus eges quam Magistris . Columella . save the poor innocent Trees from being so barbarously handled any more upon my account , which would not have failed to act their parts well , if they had been wisely ordered .

I hazard then to publish this Instruction for Gard'ning , principally with a design to pleasure ingenious Gentlemen , and also because I can no longer with Patience endure , that to the shame of our Times , and if I may be permitted that Expression , to the shame of all that close Application I have bestowed upon this Art for these many Years ; it should be possible still with justice to say of ours , what Columella reproached to his Age , That though the knowledge of Agriculture be one of the most excellent Sciences , and the most akin to solid Wisdom of any , yet is it so unhappily neglected as to sind but few Masters able to teach it , or Scholars desirous to learn it .