INTRODUCTION. V 



time to time, in the Horticultural Register, New England Farmer, 

 and the Horticulturist, either with my own signature or initials, or 

 under some fictitious one. These communications have been re- 

 vised, discarding what did not agree with present experience, or 

 opinion, and making such alterations and additions as the prog- 

 ress in floriculture demanded ; and these have afforded material 

 for this book. With few exceptions, I have been as familiar 

 with the plants described as with household friends, and believe 

 the directions given will not lead any one astray. I do not claim 

 all as original, having culled from a great variety of books and 

 periodicals, English anH American. To Loudon's Encyclopedia 

 of Plants, and other works, I am indebted for the history of 

 many plants, arid the origin of their generic or specific names. 

 Mr. Emerson's excellent work on the " Trees of Massachusetts " 

 has assisted me in the description of many shrubs and trees ; to 

 whom credit has been given in the body of the work. Dr. T. 

 W. Harris's treatise, on the "Insects of Massachusetts Injurious 

 to Vegetation," has furnished me with the history and habits of 

 the Rose-Bug and other insects. Extracts have been made from 

 Downing's " Horticulturist," from Parsons, " On the Rose," and 

 hints from " Hovey's Magazine," and from various other books 

 and periodicals. 



For the poetry interspersed throughout this volume, I have 

 drawn largely on " Flora Domestica," a pleasant English work. 



In the directions for making walks, laying box edgings. &c., 

 I am indebted to an experienced gardener, and to Mr. Mc- 

 Mahon's old work on gardening, in connection with my own 

 experience and observation. 



J. B. 



Boston, Feb. 14, 1851. 



1* 



