PREFACE. THE first idea of the present work was originated by Mr. OSBORN of the Fulham Nursery, who having for several years had numerous young men under his superintendence, perceived how much a book of the kind was wanted; and Mr. Loudon, always eager to adopt any plan that seemed likely to improve young gardeners, was so much pleased with his suggestions that he readily undertook it, making great additions and improvements in the original plan: and, had he lived a little longer, he would have made it still more complete; as he intended to include instructions in drawing landscapes, trees, flowers, &c., sketching from life, and colouring, together with the art of imitating flowers and fruits in wax, and many other similar acquirements, which are all more or less useful to a young gardener, and at the same time adapted to relieve his severer studies. For several months after Mr. Loudon's death I could not summon courage to look at the manuscript of this work, it was so associated with the idea of his sufferings; at length, however, our kind friend, Mr. PAXTON, after exerting himself most warmly in our behalf, urged me to publish it; adding, what is certainly the fact, that it may be considered. as my poor husband's last legacy to gardeners. I have therefore presented it to the public; and, as I really could not prepare the manuscript for the press myself, it was first looked over and arranged by Mr. WOOSTER (Mr. Loudon's last amanuensis), and afterwards submitted to Dr. JAMIESON, whose name was mentioned by Mr. Loudon a few hours before his death, as the person he wished to finish the work. Mr. Loudon had previously requested Dr. JAMIESON to write the chapters on Mechanics, Hydrostatics, and Hydraulics, which that gentleman has done; and Mr. JAY, a friend of his, has kindly furnished the section on Farm Book-keeping. These are the only portions that were never seen by Mr. Loudon. Some weeks before his death, the chapters on Architectural Drawing and Isometrical Projection and Perspective were written for him by Mr. ROBERTSON, and contributions for the work were also sent to him by SAMUEL TAYLOR, Esq., RICHARD VARDEN, Esq., Professor DONALDSON, Mr. JAMES MUNRO, and some other kind friends. all these gentlemen I here offer my sincere thanks and acknowledgments, satisfied that in so doing I am only acting as my husband would have done, had his life been spared to the present time. To The present edition has been carefully revised and corrected; and, as one or two additional articles have been added, it is hoped that the work has been rendered still more useful than it was before. J. W. LOUDON. Bayswater, June 10. 1847. CONTENTS. SUBSECT. I. Notation and Reduction of Decimal Fractions Arithmetic of Terminal Decimals SUBSECT. III. Approximate Decimals SECTION III. Duodecimals, or Cross Multiplication SECTION IV. Data for Arithmetical Calculations SUBSECT. I. Tables of Weights and Measures Rule for calculating Interest at 5 per Cent. |