THE 



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December, 1860. 



NCE A- YEAR everybody has a word of greeting to give and 

 1 to receive, separate and distinct from all the greetings that 

 !Ky tbcsffy have gone before during the whole twelvemonths' round. 

 We would not evade or forget so good a custom ; the ties 

 that bind us to our readers have grown strong, the strands 

 have increased in number, and we may, without boasting, 

 rejoice in "troops of friends." This is the close of our 

 third year ; we trust the past has been fruitful in useful 

 experiences to us, and that the future may be more so. When 

 we first started, it was in no fear of the result, for we had many 

 anticipations and promises of success. If we say that these 

 have been more than realized, we shall have said sufficient to 

 assure all who take interest in the progress of the Ploral "World that 

 neither our small labours nor their hearty encom'agement have been in 

 vain. The small size and monthly issues of the work give it but a humble 

 rank, and we would not, in the face of the more ponderous and elaborate 

 works that serve as connecting links among the interests of horticulture, 

 speak a word which might appear pretentious. But as editors are ex- 

 pected, once a-year, to say a word about themselves, we will take our place 

 among the number of those who labour to be useful, and conclude, from 

 the success which has attended this publication, that we are so. To please 

 everybody was never our intention ; but if it had been, we should nearly 

 have succeeded, for kind words come from all quarters, and the general 

 verdict is, that this is the best of all books for amateur gardeners. 



To make promises respecting next year's issue is, we are quite sure, 

 unnecessary. Our motto is " Utile cum clidce," and there cannot be a 

 better for gardens and gardeners. With that motto before us, Ave will 

 endeavour to merit our increasing circulation by circumspectly keeping 

 pace with the progress of the times. We repeat the old compliment of 

 the season, in no merely conventional sense, by wishing our readers "A 

 merry Christmas and a happy New Year." 



VOL. III. — NO. XII. 



