fill PREFACE. 



therewith would have formed materials for two volumes 

 larger than the present. We might have described that 

 branch, as it has already been done in works published" both 

 on this continent and in Europe. In one of the former, it is 

 said " You may now propagate many kinds (Exotic Plants) 

 by suckers, cuttings, and layers, which should be duly at- 

 tended to, particularly such as are scarce and difficult to be 

 obtained." And the directions given in one of the most ex- 

 tensive works in Europe on the propagation of an extensive 

 genus varied in character and constitution, ran thus : " Cut- 

 tings of most kinds will strike root. From the strongest- 

 growing kinds, take off large cuttings at a joint, and plunge 

 them in a pot of sand under a hand-glass in the bark bed 

 Of the smaller kinds, take younger kinds and put them under 

 a bell-glass, also plunged in heat. The sooner the plants are 

 potted off after they are rooted the better." 



Such instructions to the inexperienced are imperfect and 

 unavailing, which, we flatter ourselves, is not the character 

 that will attach to the present work. We are well aware that 

 there are persons who, to show their own superior abilities, 

 may cavil and say that there is nothing new. To such critics 

 it may be answered, if arranging, simplifying, digesting, and 

 rendering Floriculture attainable by the humblest capacity, 

 with useful lists and tables on a plan quite novel, as we 

 believe, offer nothing new, it may at least be called an im- 

 provement. However, we submit all to a generous public, t 

 whom we are already under many obligations. 



H1BBERT & BUIST. 



Philadelphia, April 18th, 1832. 



