20 INTRODUCTION. 



the country, who are, in most cases, zealous pro- 

 moters and supporters of Horticulture in its various 

 departments. No less serviceable are the many ex- 

 cellent periodicals and works now existing on the 

 subject, besides societies, which act as direct stimu- 

 lants to the British Horticulturist. 



But notwithstanding this rapid and progressive 

 change in the various departments of Horticulture, 

 there is yet ample room for further improvements. 

 Every year, every season that rolls along, brings 

 something new, something to demand the attention 

 and care of the votaries of Flora. 



Plants and flowers are greatly attended to at the 

 present day both by amateurs and gardeners ; but 

 evidently those more showy, or otherwise most con- 

 spicuous, receive most attention, while other plants 

 equally interesting, and in themselves quite as beau- 

 tiful, are comparatively neglected. The allusion is 

 here made to Alpines or Rock-plants ; for, except- 

 ing in extensive establishments, botanical institutions, 

 &c., these are very rarely to be met with. This 

 disregard very probably arises from their being so 

 minute, consequently less conspicuous and attractive 

 at first glance, than some of those going under the 

 name of Florists' Flowers. But let Alpines be looked 

 into closely, and viewed without partiality, and per- 

 haps there exists not a more lovely group in Flora's 

 train. But it is requisite here to observe, that this 

 tribe is, for the most part, composed of plants, na- 

 tives of high or Alpine situations, many of which 



