4 DEDICATION. 



and system. And two reasons exist for my gift: respect 

 and friendship. Accept out of respect the labor part, 

 the gathering of so much material. You are a worker, 

 and your hidden hand as an editor has done more ser- 

 vice to our gardening-world than the thousands of readers 

 of your journal have a full conception of. There is but 

 one " Gardeners' Chronicle " and you are its molder. I 

 do not want to rank my humble work with your achieve- 

 ments; far from it. But I believe it honest enough to 

 be dedicated to you, as a sign of respect and acknowl- 

 edgement out of the wide circle of those who appreciate 

 your service to our profession. The other reason is one 

 of personal character: accept, out of friendship, the dedi- 

 cation of the systematical, the genial part of my work. 

 Its idea, its classification is my own. Whatever its 

 success in the way of reception by outsiders may prove 

 to be, will you take it from me as a sign, an humble 

 proof of my gratefulness for kindnesses extended upon 

 me? Please, do not waive the idea. I have experienced 

 more than once what it is to be cast upon a rugged shore 

 and receive succor from an unlocked for direction. One 

 word of encouragement spoken at the proper time, goes 

 further than riches towards satisfaction in this struggle 

 for existence. Ten years have passed over the land; and 

 vivid like my love for orchids was the remembrance of 

 your kindness. 



Dear Sir, I thank you for your friendly reply. I do 

 not hear any longer the pealing of your Abbey's bells. 

 There is but one up-train on Sunday and I cannot 

 afford to miss it. I live a lonely life, lonely because I 

 have no occasion to discuss with fellow-thinkers the 

 changes of this life and world. But I live with you and 

 for you, and as a proof of my existence see here this little 

 tribute of leisure hours. Time has wrought its changes 



