vi PREFACE 



their history, the origin and pronunciation of their 

 names, their position in literature and folklore, their 

 value as modern garden plants, their culture, and the 

 best varieties of them. 



Garden interests are kept clearly in view throughout, 

 and the book is not the less practical because literary 

 associations are referred to. Every important cultural 

 item has received attention. I feel sure that garden- 

 lovers will not grow their favourite flowers with less of 

 either interest or thoroughness for knowing something 

 of their place in history and literature. 



Although the various plants are dealt with primarily 

 as garden flowers, I have thought it wise to refer briefly 

 to the indoor as well as the outdoor culture of such as 

 are used for both greenhouse and garden adornment, 

 and even to offer hints for the guidance of exhibitors. 

 This has been done for the sake of completeness. 



In the case of such particularly important plants as 

 Carnations, Chrysanthemums, and Roses, which are 

 specialised by thousands of people, I have supplemented 

 the practical information with a summary in the form 

 of a monthly calendar of cultural operations, which will 

 guard the amateur from the ill effects of neglecting im- 

 portant operations or performing them out of season. 



WALTER P. WRIGHT. 

 March, 1911. 



