PREFACE 



THE taste for Window Gardening and the plant decoration of apartments 

 is becoming universal : scarcely a cottage or villa but has its attempts, 

 whether simple or elaborate, to decorate the windows, the porch, or the 

 balcony with some few flower-pots or climbing vines; it is a sign of healthy 

 sentiment, for the presence of flowers always aids in the development of re- 

 finement and an elevated taste. 



This volume has been written specially as a help and an encouragement to 

 ladies and all flower- lovers, to assist them with judicious hints and sugges- 

 tions in their efforts to make home more beautiful by the use of plants 

 around their windows or balconies. 



With the exception of a very lew pages, properly credited to English 

 writers (Mr. Robinson and Shirley Hibberd, upon subjects as yet unfamiliar 

 to American readers), the literary matter of this volume is entirely original, 

 being contributed by the Editor, and assisted by several American writers, 

 enthusiastic flower lovers, who have cheerfully written articles on special 

 topics. 



The aim has been to produce a volume suited to American uses, which 

 would be simple, reliable, adapted to the needs of amateurs and beginners 

 in home plant culture, yet abundant in suggestions of the many ways to 

 render home attractive. 



Previous editions of this volume have been called for rapidly, and received 

 with marked pleasure, and it is hoped that, in this new edition, where the 

 errors of former editions have been corrected, the reader will still continue 

 to show favor toward a work issued rather for the public good than the per- 

 sonal emolument of the author. 



Should the interested reader feel pleased with this little testimonial to one 

 of the most beautiful of all departments of flower culture, and the desire of 

 the author to foster the fancy for window ornament, he will not regret his 

 effort to add some definite encouragement to the more extensive development 

 of rural taste. 



THE EDITOR. 



