xiv PROSPECT 



has progressed. At first it was intended to make a three-volume cyclopedia, but before 

 the first volume was half written it was found that a fourth volume must be added in 

 order to present the subject adequately. The observant reader will discover that the 

 letter A is treated on the three-volume basis. The article "Apple" is wholly inade- 

 quate, but partial penance is done under "Pomology." The article "Asparagus" is 

 the first that began to feel the fuller and larger treatment. Whatever usefulness the 

 Cyclopedia may have has been rendered possible by the liberal policy of the publishers 

 with whom it has been a joy and an inspiration to work. 



The actual writing on the Cyclopedia was begun in January, 1899. A year had 

 then been spent in making indexes and collecting data. The proof of the letter Z 

 was received December 31, 1901. On the 8th of January, 1902, the Cyclopedia office 

 was vacated. It was a sad parting. The pleasantest associations of a pleasant life had 

 come to a finish. We knew that it was a turning-point. Hundreds of books had be- 

 come familiar friends. We would never see them all together again. Like a child, the 

 Cyclopedia had grown. Like the mature youth, it had left us. It was no longer ours. 



L. H. BAILEY. 



Ithaca, New York, 

 January 11, 1902. 



