PREFACE.

AMong the Florist Gard'ners, of whom there are a great many very able Men, one frequently meets with some, pretending as if to them alone pertain'd the Government of Orange-Trees; and would make the World believe, that the Culture of those sort of Trees is the only Ma∣ster-Piece of Gard'ning; and upon this, make a great deal of shew, and talk mightily about the Preparation of Earths, and of finding out all the In∣gredients which, they'll tell you, ought to go to their Composition: Nor boast they less of their In-Casement, Potting, Waterings; the setting them in, bringing out, and Exposure, &c.

There are likewise some among 'em, who carry the Secret a great deal farther, and that pretend the Kinds and Species of Orange-Trees are almost infinite, and such as (how true soever) were enough to affright the most Curious, if, as they would make one believe, every one of those Kinds did absolutely require a certain Specific Salt peculiar to them, and would imbark us upon such an Ocean of Diffi∣culties, as hardly any Body would adventure upon a Voyage so dangerous, and where the Ship-wreck seems almost inevitable.

But, as in our Ort-yards and Olitorie Gardens, where the Number of the Spe∣cies, and several Kinds, do greatly exceed those of Orange Trees, Experience Page  2 teaches us, that the very same Culture does very near serve for all sorts of Kernel-Fruit, all kind of Stone-Fruit, and all Verdures whatsoever: Upon this Experience therefore we presume, that there needs no other Culture for all the sorts of Orange Trees, and this upon very good Assurance, daily Trials, and convincing Proofs.

I shall not therefore stand upon so many and great Difficulties, by which both the one and the other have deterr'd many Curious Persons, Passionate Lovers of the Orange Tree: A Passion, in my Opinion, the most reasonable, and best plac'd, of any; since, in effect, through the whole extent of Gard'ning, we find neither Plant nor Trees that afford us so much Delight, and that are so lasting: For there is not a day throughout the whole Year, wherein Orange Trees may not (and as they should do,) gratifie and court their Lovers, either by the Verdure of their Leaves, the Agreeableness of their Shape, Plenty, and Perfume of their Flowers; and, in a word, the Beauty, Goodness, and Durableness of their Fruit; so as I must acknow∣ledge there is no Man more charm'd with them than my self.

In Favour therefore of such whose Inclinations I find so general for these Trees, I take a third Party totally opposite to the Doctrine of these Mystery-Men, and do declare, that, after a long and ample Examination, there seems nothing in the whole Art of Gardning so easie, and little difficult, as the Culture of Orange Trees, be it either the raising them from their first Principles, the governing them afterwards, and maintaining them in good Condition, when once they have been set; there be∣ing only the Recovery of those that are sick, of any Difficulty; notwithstanding all which, I think, one may (according to every Man's Ability,) resolve to store ones self with Orange-Trees, provided one have an able Gard'ner, and a good Green-House, without which, indeed, I would advise none to enter upon this Curiosity; for, cer∣tain I am, the Orangist Gard'ner is absolutely guilty, and to blame, either through gross Ignorance, Laziness, want of Diligence, Application, or over-fondness to his mysterious Fancies, if his Orange-Trees do not thrive; provided, I say, that his Green-House be not faulty, nor the Earth and Mould in which they are planted; or that the Head of the Tree be not disproportionate to the Root, or there be some defect in the Casing, which may perhaps be ill made, or not in fit Season, or, especially, by over-watering, and the too much use of Fire during Winter, which is not at all needful, or of Water during Summer, which should be given with great Moderation.

I shall, in the next place (after I have declared what my Opinion in general is, as to the easie Culture of Orange-Trees,) explain, what Conditions are required in a good Green-House: This easie Culture, which I speak of, I know does not please ma∣ny of our Doctor Orangists: They'll tell ye, that both those who believe it, and those who publish it, do not themselves understand it: However, without being in the least discourag'd with what they say, I shall adventure to declare my Opinion upon this Matter.