VI INTRODUCTION. 



cautiously used, and even then its beneficial effects are not 

 universal. However, it can in a liquid state be used to 

 advantage on almost any plant, especially those of strong 

 habits, such as the Rose, Geranium j Fuchsia, Heliotrope, 

 Chrysanthemum, &q. To such, the following proportions 

 will be very beneficial: 1 lb. of guano to 5 galls, of water; 

 after standing 12 or more hours, can be used in the routine 

 of watering once a-week or even once in two weeks; but 

 to plants that have more delicate and silky rootlets, such as 

 Ujmcris, Erica, Azalea, &c., the liquid must be reduced one- 

 half. 



Our descriptions of plants have been conveyed more with 

 the view of giving an idea of their character to the general 

 reader than an accurate botanical synopsis, which would 

 have been known to the botanist alone. All that we have 

 described and recommended have, with a few exceptions, 

 passed under our own observation, and are such as are 

 worthy of cultivation, either for beauty of flower, foliage or 

 habit, together with those celebrated in arts and medicine. 

 Many may, possibly, have passed unobserved, either from 

 their being very generally known or difficult to obtain; but 

 in no case has there been suppression from business preju- 

 dices. Where the words ^'our collections" occur, they are 

 meant for those of the country generally. 



All our observations have been guided by dint of practice; 

 and, although others may differ, this is designedly and pro- 

 fessedly given as the result of our own experience. The 

 plan laid down is our own routine of culture; the soils are 

 those which we adopt; but, at the same time, conceding that 

 every art and profession is subject to improvement, and none 

 more so than American horticulture. The table of soils was 

 originally constructed at the expense of much investigation 

 and labor, and has, also, in this edition, undergone consider- 

 able improvement. To every one that has but a single plant 



