viii PREFACE 



any strenuous efEort at mere uniformity or so-called consistency in the vari- 

 ous entries. For example, the entry-word or caption is usually capitalized 

 in its own article, as Cabbage in the article Cabbage, Sti'awberry in the 

 article Strawberry . This enables the reader readily to catch the word — and 

 therefore the leading thought — wherever it occurs. In other articles in whicli 

 the same word occurs, but when it is a minor note, it is not capitalized. 

 In some instances of general - language terms which are used repeatedly, 

 this rule is not followed (except, perhaps, at the beginning of the article), 

 as it would be of no distinct service to the reader. The article Bulbs is 

 an example. In general, generic names of plants, when used in a semi- 

 technical or botanical sense, have been capitalized; when used in a general- 

 language or incidental way they have not been cajiitalized. In all cases, 

 mere rules have been considered to be of very secondary importance, and 

 they have been broken whenever the interest of the reader seemed to 

 demand it. 



The Editor cannot hope that all the errors and shortcomings have 

 been eliminated in this second edition. He will be glad to have readers 

 advise him of needed corrections. 



L. H. BAILEY. 



August 12, 1902. 



