PREFACE 



There is no subject, perhaps, that occupies the mind of 

 man that is better calculated to afford substantial intellectual 

 pleasure and gratification than the study of Nature, espe- 

 cially if we view it from the consideration, that as man is 

 subservient to God, so are all instinctive beings, as well as 

 the productions of the earth, subservient to, and designed 

 for, the use of man. 



Man being thus dignified, and endowed with understand- 

 ing, reason, and moral freedom, is exalted far above all 

 other creatures of the earth. How important, then, that he 

 should maintain his station in society as becomes a rational 

 and intelligent being, instead of sinking himself, as too many 

 do, below the meanest of the mean, by spending his time in 

 dissipation and vice. 



It is a fact, which cannot be controverted, that the want 

 of mental and physical employment often proves an incen- 

 tive to vice, which will almost invariably produce misery ; 

 and as surely as the earth will bring forth noxious weeds, 

 when left uncultivated, so surely will one vice beget another; 

 which, if not eradicated, will multiply to an alarming extent, 

 until its victims become a pest to society, and a disgrace to 

 mankind. 



Now as happiness is preferable to misery, virtue to vice, 

 knowledge to ignorance, and order to confusion, how impor- 

 tant it is that those who pretend to be rational beings should 

 employ their leisure hours in a manner calculated to insure 

 the greatest amount of that which is intrinsically valuable. 



What subject can be better calculated to promote such an 

 object than the subject of cultivation, when viewed in all its 

 bearings ? But as we are about treating of Flowers, I shall 

 confine my ideas as closely as possible to the subject under 

 consideration, trusting that while the hand is employed in 

 cultivating the transient beauties of a garden, the attentive 

 mind will feast daintily on the study of Nature, and in the 



