PREFACE TO THE NEW EDITION 



\G a new edition of the GARDENERS' DICTIONARY on the original one of 



involved the addition of many thousand names, and in doing so we have 



consulted the Kew Bulletin for new plants from 187610 1910 inclusive; also the 



seven Kew Hand-lists of plants actually in cultivation there, which means 



most of those grown at the present day. The lists of new Chinese plants, 



tissued by Messrs J. Veitch and Sons have also been added. 



Much of our information has been gleaned from the living plants themselves, 

 during our close contact with the Kew collections since 1880. 



All the names have been checked, altered if wrong, and brought up to date, 

 -According to the arrangement in the Genera Plantamm, by Bentham and Hooker, 

 ;aided by the Kew Hand-lists, the Index Kewensis, and Synopsis Filicum for Ferns. 



To avoid the repetition of synonyms the old names have been retained in their 

 proper alphabetical order, and, if altered, the reference is given to the modern 

 ones. The genus Prunus now includes Amygdalus, Persica, Armeniaca, 

 Prunus, Cerasus, Padus, and Laurocerasus, but for horticultural purposes their 

 identity has been preserved by arranging the species in six alphabetical lists, under 

 such headings as Almonds and Peaches, Apricots, Plums, Cherries, Bird 

 Cherries, and Laurel Cherries. In like manner Pyrus includes Pyrus, Malus, 

 Aria, Sorbus, Aronia, Pseudocydonia, and Mespilus, but, although this is not 

 new in all cases, the species have been grouped under such well-recognised 

 names as Pears, Apples, White Beam Trees, Mountain Ashes, Medlars, etc. 

 The Quinces are still retained under Cydonia. Azalea, Rhododendron, Cactus, 

 Echium, Orobus, Pinus, and Pyrethrum have been dealt with somewhat 

 similarly, but the cross-references will make clear what the correct or modern 

 names are. 



As in the first edition, the English translation or meaning of each generic 

 and specific name has been given by reference to the original Latin or Greek, 

 except in the case of proper or commemorative names and names of places, 

 which are more obvious. 



In the pronunciation of Greek and Latin names every vowel or diphthong is 

 equivalent to a syllable ; and an accent is placed after the vowel upon which 

 emphasis or stress should be laid in speaking. 



The cultural articles on flowers, fruits and vegetables have been amended 

 and brought up to date, or in some cases rewritten. 



The height of plants is given in feet or some fraction of a foot. The use of 

 technical terms has been avoided in all cases, except for fungi, where they are 

 strictly limited. 



Critical species or forms of minor importance, having no horticultural value, 

 have been omitted ; also most of the hybrids, which are not likely to have any 

 permanent value. 



THE EDITORS. 



3607.U 



