Introduction 3 



The arrangement of the book seeks to oflfer means for the solu- 

 tion of the garden maker's problems in the order in which they 

 present themselves to him. Each of these is analyzed rather 

 than solved, the solution being obviously something which 

 must be individually decided upon, according to individual 

 circumstances. 



The standards which are universally acknowledged by the 

 greatest students of the subject, are carefully maintained, and 

 explained and accounted for, so far as space and conditions will 

 permit. Examples are given to suggest the manner of applying 

 the knowledge which analysis furnishes. 



Lists of all kinds of trees, shrubs and flowers, designed to 

 be of definite, practical value, are given. To this end they 

 have been broken up into groups containing only a few of each, 

 the arrangement of the groups being made with a view to their 

 use as units. Thus the wants of the garden maker who has 

 room for only a handful of plants, as well as the one who may 

 do work on a forestry scale, are met. And the confusion which 

 besets a layman upon reading over the names of fifty desirable 

 perennials — all equally desiralile, to judge from their description 

 — in an attempt to choose something to plant in a ten-foot 

 border, is thus, it is hoped, avoided. 



The lists follow each chapter and are complementary to the 

 chapter, as far as it is possible to make them so. That they 

 contain all the desirable plants in the special classes which they 

 represent is of course not claimed for them. They could not, 

 possibly, and keep within a rational limit. That they contain 

 the most desirable plants in the successive classes, some will no 

 doubt question; for many favorites are indeed omitted. But 

 that they comprise a wise selection for the actual beginner can 

 hardly be denied — and this is the important thing. To this 



