IV PREFACE. 



therewith would have formed materials for two volumes 

 larger than the present. TVe might have described that 

 branch, as it has already been done in works published both 

 on this continent and in Europe. In one of the former, it is 

 said, "You may now propagate many kinds (^Exotic Plants) 

 by suckers, cuttings and layers, which should be duly at- 

 tended to, particularly such as are scarce and difficult to be 

 obtained.^' And the directions given in one of the most ex- 

 tensive works in Europe on the propagation of an extensive 

 genus varied in character and constitution, run thus : " Cut- 

 tings of most kinds will strike root. From the strongest- 

 growing kinds, take off large cuttings at a joint, and plunge 

 them in a pot of sand under a hand-glass in the bark bed. 

 Of the smaller kinds, take younger kinds and put them 

 under a bell-glass, also plunged in heat. The sooner the 

 plants are potted off after they are rooted the better." 



Such instructions to the inexperienced are imperfect and 

 unavailing, which, we flatter ourselves, is not the character 

 that will attach to the present work. ^Ye are well aware 

 that there are persons who, to show their own superior abili- 

 ties, may cavil and say that there is nothing new. To such 

 critics it may be answered, if arranging, simplifying, digest- 

 ing and rendering Floriculture attainable by the humblest 

 capacity, with useful lists and tables on a plan quite novel, 

 as we believe, offer nothing new, it may at least be called 

 an improvement. However, we submit all to a generous 

 public, to whom we are already under many obligations. 



HIBBERT & BUIST. 



Philadelphia, April ISfh, 1832. 



