PREFACE. v 



To the work I also have annexed, a general catalogue, containing 

 the Latin and English names of near three thousand seven hundred 

 species and varieties, of the most valuable and curious plants hither- 

 to discovered ; and divided these into eighteen separate classes, ac- 

 cording to their habits, duration, and necessary modes of culture, 

 each alphabetically arranged ; by which plan, a knowledge of their 

 general treatment, may at once be obtained, and of each particular 

 kind, greatly facilitated. This I deemed necessary to the comple- 

 tion of the work, as it was impossible to notice each kind separately, 

 in the limits originally prescribed thereto, without abridging the 

 necessary practical directions; a knowledge of which, however, 

 when once acquired, will fully enable the proficient, with the assist- 

 ance of the classification alluded to, to cultivate any plant therein 

 mentioned, to as much advantage as the nature of the climate, soil 

 and situation will admit of. 



prom an experience which I have had, of near thirty years, in 

 PRACTICAL c ARDENING, on u general and extensive scale; thepar- 

 ticular pains which I have taken, not only to designate the neces- 

 sary work of every month, but also the btst methods of performing 

 it; the avoiding of all unnecessary repetitions, so frequent in works 

 of the kind, in order to render it as full of important matter as pot* 

 siblc ; the assiduous endeavours to make it useful in every state of 

 the Union, and to induce an association of the science of Botany with 

 practical horticulture, without which the latter can never be so ad- 

 vantageously conducted ; it is hoped, that this will be found to be 

 the most useful and valuable GARDENER'S CALENDAR hitherto pub- 

 lished in any country, but more particularly so, to the citizens of 

 the United States, for whose use it has been written, and to whom 

 it is respectfully inscribed by the Author. 



BERNARD M'MAHON. 



Philadelphia, February 1, 1806. 



