VIII INTRODUCTION. 



ence of others may confirm his near approximation 

 to accuracy. 



The present vokime omits entirely the hardy ferns, 

 which it is proposed to embrace in a forthcoming vol- 

 ume devoted entirely to cryptogamous plants. A 

 companion volume to the present, classifying and 

 describing "Greenhouse Plants" in the same manner, 

 is already in press, which, with his previous work 

 on " Parlor Gardening," and his forthcoming work 

 on " Orchids," now far advanced towards completion, 

 the author hopes will foriji indispensable companions 

 both to the florist and amateur, and indeed to all, both 

 old and young, who love the culture of flowers, the 

 bright and beautiful gifts which the Author of all 

 good has so lavishly strewn around our earthly path- 

 way, and which, if we rightly read their silent teach- 

 ings, cannot but ennoble and elevate the soul. 



Glen Ridge, January, 1866. 



