INTRODUCTION TO SECOND EDITION 



The great progress made in the past fifteen years in out- 

 of-door house decoration, the large increase in the number 

 of beautiful ornamental trees, shrubs, and plants from many 

 parts of the world, and the ver>' great increase in the ''back 

 to the country" movement, make it desirable that this 

 little volume, which has met with such an appreciative re- 

 ception, be revised and brought up to date. The Author 

 has therefore revised and rewritten much of the text, re- 

 placed many of the old illustrations and added a great 

 many new ones. 



He has had the assistance of many specialists, whose 

 advice will add much to the value of the volume. 



He is especially indebted to Professor A. C. Beal, of 

 the New York State College of Agriculture, at Cornell 

 University, for the revision of the chapter on hardy herba- 

 ceous plants, roses, sweet peas, etc.; to Messrs. Chas. A. 

 Green, Henry A. Dreer, Harlan P. Kelsey, ''The Eastern 

 Nurseries," and others for loan of cuts and assistance in 

 obtaining them; to Mr. Frank A. Rugg for photographs, 

 and to all who have so kindly assisted him in this revision. 



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