INTRODUCTION. 



WE are again called upon to present to the Public the 

 Third Edition of this popular Work on the Culture of 

 Flowers a taste that is now widely disseminating itself; 

 in fact, a knowledge of which is requisite before a refined 

 education is completed. We boldly and fearlessly say, 

 that no country has made such rapid advancement in the 

 art and science of Horticulture in so short a period, as 

 these United States. Wherever the taste prevails, it dif- 

 fuses a peace and harmony among its participants without 

 either symbol or mystery. In this edition a feast of new 

 material has been served up ; entire lists have been can- 

 celed and replaced with those of newer and finer forms 

 and habits ; extraneous matter and plants of indifferent 

 character are dropped, and every improvement in the art 

 up to this present time introduced. 



True, we have not dilated on the wonderful effects of 

 electricity upon vegetation, nor have we been extravagant 

 in the results of guano in the growth of plants. With re- 

 gard to the former, the capability of its reduction to general 

 practice has yet to be proven and the latter has to be 

 cautiously used, and even then its beneficial effects are 

 not universal. However, it can in a liquid state be used 

 to advantage on almost any plant, especially those of strong 

 habits, such as the Rose, Geranium, Fuchsia, Heliotrope, 

 Chrysanthemum, &c. To such, the following proportions 

 will be very beneficial: 1 Ib. of guano to 5 galls, of water; 

 after standing 12 or more hours, can be used in the routine 

 of watering once a week or even once in two weeks ; but 

 to plants that have more delicate and silky rootlets, such 

 as Epacris, Erica, Jlzalea, &c., the liquid must be reduced 

 one half. 



Our descriptions of plants have been conveyed more 

 with the view of giving an idea of their character to the 

 1* 



