PREFACE. :^^ 



A preface to an author is one of the most valued 

 sections of his book, howbeit one of the most difficult 

 to write. 



Through it he makes every effort to disarm criti- 

 cism and to court the favour of the literary jury who 

 shall try his book. In its more or less circumscribed 

 space he thanks his friends for services rendered, and, 

 while giving- others their due, he takes care that his 

 own reputation does not in any way suffer. The intro- 

 duction to the book is, as a rule, forestalled, and, 

 while apologising humbly for having imposed upon the 

 public the efforts of his pen, within a sentence he is 

 trying to prove its worth, and to show it as the natural 

 outcome of demand. In case the reader should think 

 the author to be a presumptious mortal, every effort is 

 made to explain why the book was written, and to 

 point out its value to one whom it is feared may over- 

 look the same. 



Alas I I fear that I shall prove to be unconven- 

 tional, for, although I trust that my book will find 

 favour, yet I have no excuse to offer for its produc- 

 tion. That such a book is wanted I know to be the 

 case, but how far I have been successful in meeting 

 the requirements of the Rose-growing public I cannot 

 tell. I do not for a moment expect to escape adverse 

 criticism from the suf>er-critical, and words of praise, 

 while welcome at all times, are not sought. My great 

 desire is to be of service to the grower of the Queen 

 of Flowers, and to leave behind a work that will be 

 valued until the day comes when it shall be superseded 

 by another. The book must speak for itself, for the 

 author cannot go with it ; if he could, he would have 

 to make excuses for too many sins of omission and 

 commission — omission because his book is not large 

 enough, .^nd commission because, — yes, you arc quite 

 right ! — admitted advertisements into the body of the 



