PREFA.CE. 



THE present is the first of a series of Hand-lists of 

 the collections of living plants cultivated in the Royal 

 Gardens which it is intended to issue from time to 

 time. 



It is hoped that they will be found useful in indi- 

 cating to visitors interested in particular groups of 

 plants, the species which Kew already possesses. In the 

 hands of correspondents they will serve to show in what 

 directions the collections may be added to. It is further 

 hoped that they may be found of some value in esta- 

 blishing an approximate standard of nomenclature, 

 which is often much confused in gardens and too 

 frequently erroneous. 



This is particularly the case with woody plants (shrubs 

 and trees) grown in the open air. The preparation of 

 the present list has accordingly been first taken in 

 hand ; it represents the work of many years, and has 

 only been accomplished with considerable labour. 



A rough census of the species and distinct varieties of 

 plants cultivated at Kew gives the total number as, 

 approximately, 20,000. Of these 3,000 are hardy shrubs 

 or trees. 



The first catalogue of the plants cultivated at Kew 

 was that of Sir John Hill, published in 1768 (second 

 edition 1769). This was entitled Hortus Kewensis, and 

 12159 a 



