4 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



as a guide in the right direction. For further and more complete 

 information on these subjects reference should be made to the Bibli- 

 ography (Pages 343 to 351), both of articles and of books, contained in 

 the Appendix to this volume. The author has compiled a bibliography 

 of articles and books which are of distinct value to the reader. But 

 there are many other articles and books, of great interest and value to 

 readers, some of which probably have escaped the author's attention 

 and should be included in this list. This list will be revised from 

 time to time. 



The Use of the Index. This book is indexed very completely 

 and in detail and has a reference both to pages and to groups. The 

 reader will note that the book has been paged in the usual manner, 

 and also that on each page the groups have been alphabetically ar- 

 ranged for the purpose of making it more easy to consult information 

 as referred to by the Table of Contents and by the Group Index. As a 

 matter of fact, this Index is almost equally as valuable as the complete 

 list of plants under each of the various groups. By means of this 

 Index the student who is familiar with some plant and wishes to find a 

 proper use for it can readily ascertain the use or uses to which the plant 

 is adapted. 



The Purpose of the Illustrations. A number of photographs 

 and drawings have been introduced throughout this volume. These 

 photographs are illustrative of various group ideas covering uses of 

 plants. Words, however carefully selected, often cannot be a literal 

 interpretation of an idea, whereas a photograph immediately conveys 

 the definite idea which cannot be reproduced in words. These il- 

 lustrations have been selected, so far as possible, to illustrate the main 

 features which justify the making of an individual group for reference 

 purposes. It is hoped that they may for that reason prove to be of 

 great value. 



Method of Using the Book. Theoretically, a treatise on any sub- 

 ject should be so simplified that to the average reader the method of 

 using it is self-evident. However, a few suggestions covering the 

 methods of consulting the information in this volume may not be 

 amiss. The Table of Contents, which is a complete compilation 

 of all the general information in this volume, is arranged with 



