6 
The. peat, the loam, the chalk, the gravel and clay 
soils have each their own peculiar plants. As we 
ascend the mountains the temperature gradually 
becomes lower, and vegetation decreases in statue 
until the regions of perpetual snow is reached, where 
no vegetation exists. In all civilized countries 
where plants not indigenous te the climate are cul- 
tivated, the study of their natural habitation is of 
all importance in their successful cultivation. For 
instance-the plants from a peat soil will not flourish 
in a clay, or the plants from a clay soil flourish in 
gravel, no more than the plants from the swamps 
-will exist on the mountain tops. The safest guide 
to the successful culture of all plants is to imitate 
as near as possible the natural conditions in which 
they are found in their native habitation, and where 
it is practicable to approximate as nearly as possible 
these natural conditions good results will most surely 
ensue. Therefore in view of this the author has 
endeavored to give in this treatise on Floriculture 
the proper soil and other important points suitable 
to the different plants upon which it treats, In 
England, it is true, they have the Violet and Prim- 
rose in wild and promiscuous confusion, as we have 
the Magnolia, the Palmettoand Jassamine. In both 
countries these practically take care of themselves. 
It is therefore only necessary where we reach beyond 
the limits of our indigenous plants that a book of 
