18 INTRODUCTION. 



its splendour, invites the exemplary bee to her in- 

 dustrious and persevering labours. This pleasure 

 may probably, by some, be deemed of too solitary 

 a nature; but, to use the words of the poet, it is 



" Not solitude, 'tis but to hold 

 Converse with Nature's charms, 

 And view her stores unroll'd." 



How much more amusing and gratifying, then, 

 must it be to those who attend to the culture of 

 plants and flowers, and see the daily progress of 

 those nurtured by their own hands, thus to observe 

 the various processes of Nature ? Are they not com- 

 pelled, as it were, to acknowledge the wisdom, the 

 power, and goodness of an all-wise Creator ? 



At every season of the year there is something to 

 be learned among plants and flowers something to 

 cheer and arouse to energy the pensive mind. If we 

 walk out in Spring, we behold the tender bud unfold ; 

 in Summer and Autumn, the perfection and diversity 

 of floral beauties ; and even in Winter, when the 

 greater proportion has vanished, we discover some 

 lingering gem still left to decorate a secluded spot 

 and please the eye of the spectator. 



How often have we felt, and been cheered, by 

 pleasing thoughts, borne back on the memory by 

 the recollection of such happy scenes, yea, perhaps, 

 when hundreds of miles intervene ! 



When we revert to the annals of Horticulture 

 generally, we perceive the great and rapid progress 

 and improvements made both in science and art, 



