VI PREFACE 



course of the year, the garden cycle is completed. The teacher 

 is advised to study beforehand the indoor experiments, in 

 order to make sure that the materials are such that the lesson 

 can be properly explained. During these experiments plenty 

 of seeds and seedlings should be at hand. 



While the book is designed for use in schools, it need not 

 be so confined. Its scope and its practical treatment fit it for 

 the use of all beginners in gardening, of whatever age. 



Acknowledgment is made to Professors L. H. Bailey, G. W. 

 Warren, and C. A. Stebbens for the use of illustrations from 

 their books. And both author and publisher take this oppor- 

 tunity to thank J. M. Thorburn and Company, seedsmen, of 

 New York City, for supplying numerous photographs for use 

 in this volume. 



The author desires to acknowledge with thanks the assist- 

 ance of Wilfrid Wheeler, of Concord, Massachusetts. His 

 experience as a practical horticulturist, as well as his knowl- 

 edge gained as member of the Concord Home Gardening 

 Association, of the school committee of the town, and of the 

 State Board of Education, have made his advice in planning 

 and writing the book of the greatest assistance. 



ALLEN FRENCH. 

 CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, 

 March 1, 1914. 



