VI INTRODUCTION. 



either in the way of depreciation, or of particular apppreciation. 

 Perhaps some other cultivators may differ from us respecting culture 

 and soil ; however this may be, we rest satisfied, as our work is de- 

 signedly and professedly given as the result of our own experience, 

 the plan laid down is our own routine of culture, and the soils are 

 those which we adopt. We do not say that there is no soil in which 

 the plants will not grow better, fully aware that every art and profes- 

 sion is subject to improvement. The table of soils has been construct- 

 ed at the expense of much labour, and condensed as much as possible ; 

 to every one that has a single plant it will be found invaluable. Many 

 are the publications in Europe on Gardening and Floraculture, the 

 directions in which, when practised in the United States, prove 

 almost a perfect dead letter. A work adapted to the climate must 

 be the guide in this country, and not one which is foreign to us in 

 every respect. On this account a work like the present has been a 

 desideratum, considering the rapidly increasing and interesting ad- 

 vancement of the culture of flowers amongst the fair daughters of 

 our flourishing republic. 



To aid them and others seeking information in this instructive and 

 delightful pursuit to enable them to examine more minutely, and 

 judge more correctly of the qualities, properties, and beauties of 

 plants have been prominent objects in this publication. Here, as 

 knowledge is increased, the warmer will be the devotion of the de- 

 lighted student ; and as the mind correspondingly expands, the desire 

 for further information will keep pace advancing constantly in the 

 development of nature, the mind will participate in the enjoyment, 

 and become meliorated and purified as the study of nature's works 

 inevitably lead to the contemplation of nature's God, and the result of 

 the whole prove a harmonious combination of personal gratification and 

 mental improvement. 



