PREFACE. 



Floriculture has become the study and 

 amusement of all ranks. Is it because it em- 

 bellishes the dwellings of the rich and great, or 

 forms the gayest ornament of the villa ? Or is it 

 because it receives the regard, and employs the 

 pencils, of the most refined and fairest of Nature's 

 works? Yes; for all these; but, most of all, 

 because it decorates, while it endears, the poor 

 man's cottage. 



To the superior classes of society, who have 

 " all appliances and means to boot,'' the know- 

 ledge and possession of flowers form but a small 

 part of their enjoyments ; but the humble and 

 homely man, who, when relieved from the ema- 

 ciating toil and noxious air of a factory, betakes 

 himself to the refreshing exercise of raising his 

 favourite flowers, feels new life ; his attention is 



