PREFACE 5 



average amount of interest will not attempt to use them. 

 The keys here given were written for the general public 

 and not at all for the scientist. The attempt is made to 

 include only common English words with their ordinary 

 application. When a feature of a plant has no English 

 word to describe it, an illustration or a phrase shows what 

 is meant. 



The beginner may, of course, use only Part III with 

 the illustrations to help him rind the name of the shrub; 

 but it would be better to throw fear to the dogs and read 

 intelligently Part I and thus learn what is a leaf and the 

 great leaf differences and what is a flower and the great 

 flower differences. Then boldly try the keys to Part II 

 and discover how readily they can be used. By means 

 of these keys the page is determined in Part III where 

 the plant is figured and described. Persevere! Do not 

 be discouraged by a failure or two. If you reach that 

 stage when you know the leaf of a plant, all the rest will 

 be found plain and easy. 



The author has received much valuable help from many 

 sources, and his thanks are especially due to nurserymen 

 North, South, East, and West who have furnished him witli 

 specimens for illustration and information of great value ; 

 without their help the book could not have been written. 

 The authorities of the Arnold Arboretum and of other 

 botanic gardens of the country have given help freely 

 when called upon. 



TRENTON, NEW JERSEY. 



