PREFACE 



There are many books on gardening for the 

 few who have large estates, and few, if any, for 

 the many who have small ones. This volume Is 

 designed for the uses of the family whose lands 

 are a house lot. It Is not a manual; It Is not a 

 grammar upon the science or subject of small 

 gardens; it Is a series of hints and suggestions, 

 which may be unendingly diversified. The 

 writer has drawn upon his own experience for 

 most of his material, and on his Imagination for 

 his plans, but he has taken the word of authori- 

 ties on some matters respecting the plants to be 

 used, since It Is not within the fortune of people 

 who cultivate small gardens to acquire a close 

 acquaintance with all the flowers that can be 

 grown between the thirtieth and the forty-fifth 

 parallel. City yards are usually dusty, weedy and 

 neglected, the theory of their owners being that 

 it Is not worth while to cultivate patches of 



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