PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



This book is intended to furnish botanical classes and beginners 

 generally with an easier introduction to the plants of this country 

 than the Manual, and one which includes the common cultivated as 

 well as the native species. It is made more concise and simple, first, 

 by the use of somewhat less technical language ; second, by the omis- 

 sion, as far as possible, of the more recondite and, for the present 

 purpose, less essential characters ; and also of most of the obscure, 

 insignificant, or rare plants which students will not be apt to meet 

 with or to examine, or which are quite too difficult for beginners ; 

 such as the Sedges, most Grasses, and the crowd of Golden Rods, 

 Asters, Sunflowers, and the like, which require very critical study. 

 On the other hand, this small volume is more comprehensive than 

 the Manual, since it comprises the common herbs, shrubs, and trees 

 of the Southern as well as the Northern and Middle States, and all 

 which are commonly cultivated or planted, for ornament or use, in 

 fields, gardens, pleasure grounds, or in house culture, including even 

 the conservatory plants ordinarily met with. 



It is very desirable that students should be able to use exotic as 

 well as indigenous plants in analysis; and a scientific acquaintance 

 with the plants and flowers most common around us in garden, field, 

 and greenhouse, and which so largely contribute to our well-being 

 and enjoyment, would seem to be no less important than in the case 

 of our native plants. If it is worth while so largely to assemble 

 around us ornamental and useful trees, plants, and flowers, it is cer- 

 tainly well to know what they are and what they are like. To stu- 

 dents in agricultural schools and colleges this kind of knowledge wiU 

 be especially important. 



One of the main objects of this book is to provide cultivators, 

 gardeners, and amateurs, and all who are fond of plants and flowers, 

 with a simple guide to a knowledge of their botanical names and 



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