Xiv PREFACE 
comed. And thirdly, if possible, to make a readable 
as well as useful book: under no circumstances 
did I aspire to tread worthily in the footsteps of 
Dean Hole: yet (for to me too the world—even the 
Rose world—‘‘ teems with quiet fun”) I did hope to 
make it fairly light and amusing; but details and 
practical matter have proved so overwhelming as to 
get a mastery of the whole. 
I have much kind assistance to acknowledge from 
various sources. From my old friend, Mr. Benjamin 
R. Cant, Rose-grower, Colchester, and his two sons, 
I have had very much cordial help in many ways. 
Mr. Frank Cant, of Braiswick Nursery, Colchester, 
has freely given me useful information on the subject 
of Roses under Glass (Chapter X.). Mr. W. D. 
Prior, of Myland Nurseries, in the same metropolis 
of Roses, has aided me in the preparation of photo- 
graphs: and in the same neighbourhood, Mr. and 
Mrs. Orpen, of West Bergholt, have been good 
enough to give me opportunities of representing 
their skill in Rose decoration. I have also received 
help from Mr. A. Dickson, of the Royal Nur- 
series, Newtownards, Ireland, in information kindly 
furnished as to the raising of Roses from seed. Mr. 
Charles Turner, of Slough, has kindly lent me a 
photograph of one of his giant Pot Roses. 
I am indebted to Dr. Hogg, the proprietor of The 
Journal of Horticulture, for leave to republish certain 
matters which I have written in that paper under the 
nom de plume of “‘ W. R. Raillem,’’ especially Chapter 
