Knowing how difficult it is for the general public to understand the descriptions of nearly allied species, usually made by compilers who are unacquainted with the crucial points of distinction, we hope to supply this information in concise, clear, and simple language. What we understand by scientific knowledge is accuracy, expressed in plain words; and in order to ensure this we have copied nothing from other authors that we could verify for ourselves.
In order to give a history of the finest trees in this country, we have visited during the past five years nearly every important place in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland where large and rare trees are found; and have received from landowners, estate agents, foresters, and gardeners an amount of information and assistance which justifies us in believing that our work will be generally appreciated. Though the historic trees of some places in England and of more in Scotland have been described in scattered publications, those of Ireland have been almost totally neglected; and Dr. Henry has paid special attention to the many interesting properties in that country.
A prominent feature of the work will be the illustrations. Modern photography enables the authors to give accurate pictures of the trees as they grow. Almost all the photographs of trees and of forest scenes have been taken by skilful photographers specially engaged for the purpose. In dealing with about 300 species of trees, many of which will require several illustrations to show the best specimens both as park and forest trees, the authors have accumulated a large number of photographs, which are being reproduced by the Autotype Company of London, who guarantee their permanency.
With regard to these illustrations we desire to say, that though in some cases they may not be perfect from the point of view of the photographic artist, yet the amount of time, skill, and money that has been spent on them is very far beyond what would be imagined by any one who has not had experience of the difficulty of securing good negatives of trees scattered over so large an area, under all conditions of light and weather, and in situations often extremely difficult to the photographer.
In some cases two or three special journeys have been made to obtain a photograph of one tree only, as the object has been to show the finest individual trees known to the authors rather than to make pretty pictures of scenery.
Besides these reproductions of photographs there will be lithographed drawings of seedlings, buds, leaves, flowers, and fruit, so far as is necessary to distinguish the trees in winter and in summer. These original drawings have all been done under the personal supervision of Dr. Henry, who has carefully studied the material, living and dead, that exists in the unrivalled establishment at Kew.
All measurements have been taken by the authors themselves with Stanley's Apomecometer, or by practical foresters on whose accuracy they could rely, and though in many cases errors to the extent of a few feet may have been made, owing to the shape or position of the tree measured, we believe them to be as accurate as possible under the conditions.
