generall) by the senses, feelingly
apprehending, and comparing (with the helpe of the minde) the workes of
nature; and as in all other things naturall, so especially in Trees; for
what is Art more then a prouident and skilfull Collectrix of the faults
of Nature in particular workes, apprehended by the senses? As when good
ground naturally brings forth thistles, trees stand too thicke, or too
thin, or disorderly, or (without dressing) put forth vnprofitable
suckers, and suchlike. All which and a thousand more, Art reformeth,
being taught by experience: and therefore must we count that Art the
surest, that stands vpon experimentall rules, gathered by the rule of
reason (not conceit) of all other rules the surest._

_Whereupon haue I of my meere and sole experience, without respect to
any former written Treatise, gathered these rules, and set them downe in
writing, not daring to hide the least talent giuen me of my Lord and
Master in Heauen: neither is this iniurious to any, though it differ
from the common opinion in diuers points, to make it knowne to others,
what good I haue found out in this facultie by long triall and
experience. I confesse freely my want of curious skill in the Art of
planting. And I admire and praise _Plinie_, _Aristotle_, _Virgil_,
_Cicero_, and many others for wit and iudgement in this kind, and leaue
them to their times, manner, and seuerall Countries._

_I am not determined (neither can I worthily) to set forth the praises
of this Art: how some, and not a few, euen of the best, haue accounted
it a chiefe part of earthly happinesse, to haue faire and pleasant
Orchards, as in _Hesperia_ and _Thessaly_, how all with one consent
agree, that it is a chiefe part of Husbandry (as _Tully de senectute_)
and Husbandry maintaines the world; how ancient, how profitable, how
pleasant it is, how many secrets of nature it doth containe, how loued,
how much practised in the best places, and of the best: This hath
already beene done by many. I only aime at the common good. _I_ delight
not in curious conceits, as planting and graffing with the root vpwards,
inoculating Roses on Thornes, and such like, although I haue heard of
diuers prooued some, and read of moe._

_The Stationer hath (as being most desirous with me, to further the
common good) bestowed much cost and care in hauing the Knots and Models
by the best Artizan cut in great varietie, that nothing might be any way
wanting to satisfie the curious desi