While the notes have been made short, they will, never- 

 theless, in most cases, cover the essential points in the 

 methods of raising and caring for the plants named, and be 

 understood by the average reader as easily as if they had 

 been dealt with in longer articles. Hitherto, the information 

 available on the subjects treated upon has, for the most part, 

 been widely scattered in numerous magazines and books, 

 many of which are expensive; and it is often found necessary 

 to search through a mass of technical details in order to find 

 the required information. It is to be hoped that the present 

 volume will, in great measure, reduce the difficulties referred 

 to, and render the art of plant cultivation pi*t)fitable and enjoy- 

 able to the many whose tastes are horticultural. 



George W. Oliver. 

 Washington, July, 1900. 



