11 PREFACE. 



plants embraces so great a variety of character, or gives forth such a number 

 of delicious blossoms for so long a period ? Moreover, it is easy of culture ; suited 

 to a great variety of soils ; lives and blooms even when neglected ; yet yields an 

 abundant return for whatever labour may be bestowed upon it. 



The Rose Garden is arranged in two Divisions. The First includes Chapters 

 on The History of the Rose, the Formation of the Rosarium, and the various 

 practices of Cultivation. The Chapters on Hybridizing and raising Seedlings 

 are, it is believed, altogether new, and likely to prove interesting and useful at this 

 particular era in Rose-culture. The Second Division embraces a natural arrange- 

 ment of all the approved Roses known, with full descriptions of their colours, 

 sizes, forms, degrees of fulness, habit, rates of growth, and purposes for which 

 best suited. The descriptions are chiefly the result of close personal observation 

 having been taken from living specimens at a great cost of time and labour ; which 

 will be granted readily, when it is stated that above 2000 varieties are described. 

 Nevertheless, it was judged desirable to pursue this course, in order to attain to 

 that accuracy in the descriptive part of the work which should render it a safe and 

 efficient guide in selecting varieties. 



The execution of the Coloured Drawings has been entrusted to eminent artists, 

 whose design has been, not to fabricate a pleasing flower, but to produce exact 

 representations of nature. This feature of the work presents the cultivator with 

 Hoses at all seasons; — alike when the blasts of autumn scatter his favourites 

 without doors to the winds of heaven, and the rigours of winter surround them 

 with the garb of death. 



Before concluding, the writer would acknowledge his obligations to numerous 

 Correspondents for suggestions received from time to time during the period of 

 publication. Such Letters as contained hints on cultivation he has inserted in 

 the Appendix as advertised ; and regrets that want of space should have compelled 

 him to curtail some interesting communications. The " Botanical Notes on the 

 Rose " are particularly valuable, and should be read by all who feel inclined to 

 enter upon the pleasing task of raising seedlings. 



Nurseries, Cheshunt, Herts, 

 May \st, 1848. 



