INTRODUCTION^. 15 



our land are putting such questions. While it is often 

 true that no direct means may be at hand for suggest- 

 ing and carrying out fitting improvements, still the 

 mere fact that conditions exist which suggest the ques- 

 tions, is sure to hasten the day when gardens, and gar- 

 den adornments, in keeping with our improved architec- 

 ture, will prevail throughout the country. 



That various influences are at w^ork in awakening 

 the American public to its needs and opportunities in 

 the line of improved ornamental grounds, there is little 

 doubt. But there is great room for progress ; the field 

 is a wide one. The best efforts of all who take an 

 interest in this subject, amateurs and professional gar- 

 deners ; florists and nurserymen ; editors and writers ; 

 are needed for developing correct taste and methods, so 

 that, as the demand for improved pleasure grounds in- 

 creases, there may be at command the best possible sys- 

 tem of these for our climate, and for the tastes and means 

 of our people — one that shall be essentially American. 



'*oii:j^amental gardej^-ing for Americans." 



In order to contribute a share towards meeting the 

 public want in this line, the present w^ork has been pre- 

 pared. With excellent opportunities for knowing the 

 needs of the people, the author aims to present, in sim- 

 ple style, plain instructions as to the materials, arrange- 

 ment, construction, and keeping of private and public 

 gardens. To make a book wiiich should be suitable as a 

 constant garden comi^anion, convenient, reliable, com- 

 prehensive, and practical, has been a constant aim. It is 

 believed that the subjects are presented in so clear a 

 mariner that any intelligent person can, by its help, not 

 only successfully undertake the oversight of an ordinary 

 garden, wiiether doing the work with his or her own 

 hands or directing others, but may, by study, become so 

 familiar with this subject in all its departments, as to be 



