It has probably been with many others as it is with the writer of
this, who finds the little which he has to say by way of Preface, more
disagreeable, and more difficult, than he has found any other part of
his book. A Preface, however, of some sort or other, must be written.
The writer cannot say, as some have done, that he has pushed off his
bark, and is content to leave it to its fate—he does not pretend, with
Kent, the author of “Hints to Gentlemen of Landed Property,” that
“these hints are published from no motives of interest whatever”—on the
contrary he is ready to avow, that, while he would feel it, under a
certain modification of circumstances, a most agreeable and congenial
occupation of his time, to be employed in establishing a better
practice in the management of Woods, Plantations, &c. he is not in a
position to be _so_ disinterested as altogether to lose sight of his
own interest in the matter. Further: while he feels it to be an object
of vast importance to the great body of Landed Proprietors, and others,
that a new system should be laid down and acted upon, the Author wishes
not to disguise the fact, that he seeks the honourable distinction of
being permitted to assist in correcting the evils, which he thinks he
may have been the first so strongly to point out.
The Author cannot but hope that he has proved all that can be fairly
considered _as implied_ in his Title; and if he have done so, it may be
productive of much advantage to those who possess property in Woods,
&c.: their attention being once strongly called to the subject, they
cannot fail to perceive that there is plenty for them to do.
The Author needs not to be told, for of that he is quite conscious—that
his book is very defective in arrangement, and faulty in style,
but if he have succeeded in the attempt to be tolerably “plain and
perspicuous,” and “not very ungrammatical,” that is as much, perhaps,
as ought to be required of a practical man.
One word is necessary here, with reference to Sir H. Steuart, whose
name, as a Planter, the Author has mentioned at page 58. He wishes to
correct an impression which he may have produced, that the honourable
Baronet is altogether opposed to the practice of preparing the soil
previous to planting. This is not the case; but Sir Henry, with
singular inconsistency, after speaking in the highest terms in favour
of trenching, manuring, &c. declares the practice to be inapplicable
to Plantations on a large scale. It is unnecessary to remark here, that
on this point the Author is of a different opinion.
* * * * *
P. S. The Author reviews neglected Woods, Plantations, &c. and gives
directions for their proper management, or he would contract with any
Noblemen or Gentlemen to overlook their Woods, &c. at so much per acre
per year.