I 



PREFACE 



THE EIGHTH EDITION. 



WHEN I penned the first edition of this little 

 work, I must confess that I was not very sanguine 

 as to its favourable reception ; but, to my agree- 

 able surprise, I found myself a successful author, 

 and have now an eighth edition called for by a 

 generous public. I have, therefore, in the follow- 

 ing pages, endeavoured to evince my gratitude by 

 making my book not an empty echo to its title, 

 but a true guide ; consequently, many varieties of 

 roses described in former editions, on account 

 only of their novelty or other characteristics 

 rather than for their beauty, are now omitted, 

 and those only that are really beautiful and strictly 

 worthy the attention of the Eose Amateur are di- 

 lated upon : I have, in fact, profited by time and 

 experience. A multitude of new roses have been 

 introduced since the publication of the first edition ; 

 and various modes of culture have suggested them- 



M797674 



