INTRODUCTION. 



Fifteen years have passed since the author published 

 his " Book of Flowers." In 1856 a new edition was is- 

 sued, to which 60 pages were added in an appendix. 



The Avork had a large and generous ])atronage, and 

 many thousands of copies were circulated during the ten 

 following years. 



Time makes great changes in all the pursuits of life, 

 and in none more than it has in Floriculture during the 

 last 15 years ; consequently, the book in question had be- 

 come antiquated like tlie author, and needed revision, 

 which I hope he does not, extensively. 



But when the work was taken in hand, it was deemed 

 advisable to make a new book, rather than to attempt the 

 revision of the old one, as it would be like putting new 

 cloth to an old garment, to try to patch it up. That the 

 laborous task of writing a new book was considered a ne- 

 cessity which, at the advanced age of more than three 

 score years and ten, was not so pleasant to contemplate. 

 But, having been familiar with the culture of flowers from 

 childhood, with a general knowledge of most plants known 

 in this climate, the task was made easy, notwithstanding 

 the weai'iness of the flesh. And now, after a year's writ- 

 ing, revising and correcting, "Breck's New Book of 

 Flowers " is presented to the flower-loving public, who, if 

 they love flowers as well as the author, will, no doubt, ap- 

 preciate his labors. He hopes the innocent, improving, 

 !^ and healthy pleasures to be derived from the art and prac- 

 - , tice of Floriculture, may be greatly increased by the in- 

 struction and encourao-ement he has endeavored to cfive. 

 Lo While much of the book is entirely new, and the ar- 

 2 rangement greatly improved, some parts of the old work 



LiJ 

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