SELECTIONS OF FLOWERING PLANTS FOR 

 THE GARDEN. 



" To raise your flowers, various arts combine, 

 Study these well, and fancy's flight decline ; 

 If you would have a vivid, vigorous breed, 

 Of every kind, examine well the seed ; 

 Learn to what elements your plants belong, 

 What is their constitution, weak or strong ; 

 Be their physician, careful of their lives, 

 And see that every species daily thrives ; 

 These love much air, these on much earth rely, 

 These, without constant warmth, decay and die ; 

 Supply the wants of each, and they will pay 

 For all your care through each succeeding day." 



To select the most desirable plants, and to arrange them 

 with good taste, requires an extensive knowledge of the floral 

 kingdom. The time of flowering must be known, the height, 

 hardiness, habits, odors, &c. ; also the effect of the combination 

 of different colors, so that the plants may be arranged in such 

 a manner as to produce the happiest effect. I shall place 

 before my readers an extensive collection of the most desirable 

 plants, embracing hardy Annuals, Biennials, Perennials, and 

 Shrubbery, pointing out their various habits, qualities, beauties 

 or defects, and modes of cultivation, describing them as -plainly 

 as possible, without using any more technical language than is 

 necessary for that purpose. The circumstances of different 

 individuals vary so much, as well as their taste and fancy, 

 that, having given these particulars, it must be left with each 

 one to choose for himself such plants as are adapted to his 

 circumstances, the extent of his ground, soil, &c. Some sug- 

 gestions may not be out of place. 



Some persons, anxious for a great variety, crowd too many 

 plants into a small space ; consequently have nothing in per- 

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