INTRODUCTION. \\\ . 1 



The all- wise Creator who raised the cedar, 

 formed also the smallest moss ; but the former 

 he planted on the mountains of Lebanon, 

 whilst the latter was placed on a pebble. From 

 this wise ordinance of nature, we should learn 

 to select Flora's miniature beauties for the 

 small parterre, leaving the towering and 

 wide-spreading plants to ornament extensive 

 grounds. 



Flow 7 ers never appear to so great advantage 

 as when forming a foreground in the shrub- 

 bery or to the borders of woods. In such 

 situations they seem to have planted them- 

 selves as if for the sake of shelter, whilst the 

 boldness of the trees and shrubs add as much 

 to the delicacy of their blossoms as the mass 

 of foliage contributes to the brilliancy of their 

 colours. The bolder flowers should be half- 

 obscured by shrubs, for by being but partially 

 seen their effect is materially heightened. 



The smaller flowers must occupy the slop- 

 ing sides of banks, because they are then 

 brought near to the eye, and they will gene- 

 rally be found growing naturally in such si- 

 tuations. A greater part of the earliest flower- 



