xvi PREFACE 



to the forms that have horticultural value aud to result in au iucreased 

 planting of them. This will be a great gain, for the Cratasgi are bold and 

 attractive plants throughout the year. These plants have been recognized in 

 Europe as having first-rate ornamental value, and most of the American 

 species have been first described from plants cultivated in European gardens. 

 Of late years the Cratsegi have been extensively raised from seeds in the 

 Arnold Arboretum, and the collection at that institution is probably the 

 largest in existence. The plants are being studied as to their horticultural 

 values and also to determine what botanical characters hold in parents and 

 offspring. These seedlings have been distributed to European and other gar- 

 dens, and especially to the Park Department of Rochester, New York, where, 

 next to the Arnold Arboretum, there is the largest collection in America. 

 S) far as the introduction of beautiful hardy American trees aud shrubs is 

 concerned, the general dissemination of native Cratfegi is the best work that 

 has been done at the Arnold Arboretum. 



Perhaps this is the proper time to call attention to the very high -class 

 work that is being done at the Arnold Arboretum, and to express the 

 wish that every American might have the opportunity to visit the place. 

 Year by year the hardy trees and shrubs have been collected with a patience 

 and completeness that command the utmost confidence and respect; and these 

 diverse materials have been assembled with the finest sensitiveness to their 

 artistic merits. This Arboretum has come to be a great proving ground and 

 exhibition ground, from which the entire country is sure to draw very 

 important horticultural as well as dendrological lessons. 



INTRODUCTIONS OF PLANTS 



There has been a steady introduction of good horticultural novelties, 

 although I do not recall the introduction within the last three or four years of 

 any botanical species not heretofore in our trade that promises unusual results. 

 The novelties have been disseminated through the usual sources, — the plants- 

 men and seedsmen, — and these concerns ai'e constantly giving greater scrutiny 

 to the acquisitions; but aside from these agencies, there are now several 

 others that are introducing new plants or testing old ones in a new way. 

 These other agencies are the botanical gardens, the United States Department 

 of Agriculture, and the private establishments of many wealthy persons. 

 Amongst the semi-public scientific gardens the Missouri Botanic Garden and 

 the New York Botanic Garden should be very prominently mentioned as doing 

 horticultural work of the greatest value. These and similar institutions nre 



