A Gardener's Notebook

Historical Garden Books – 117 in a series – The American orchardist (1825)

TO THE PRESIDENT AND OTHER OFFICERS OF THE MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Gentlemen :

Presuming upon your acquiesence, I introduce to your no- dice 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 informa- tion 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 improve- ments in our country, a knowledge of your character is an am- ple 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 conscious- ness of laudable motives, of assiduity and fidelity in the collec- tion of experimental facts, remain as my only consolation. I am not unapprized of the almost invincible prejudice, which pre- vails among our farmers, against what they term ”book-farm- ing,” “book-knowledge,” &c. &c. ; and the anecdote is fresh ia 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 con- firm, 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.

Publication date 1825

Topics Fruit-culture

Publisher Plymouth, Mass., E. Collier

Collection library_of_congress; biodiversity; americana

Digitizing sponsor Sloan Foundation

Contributor The Library of Congress

Language English

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