IV PREFACE. 



Among the improvements we may mention the indication of the 

 generic and specific names of plants, as whether classic, aborigi- 

 nal, commemorative, or composed. Though this may be antici- 

 pating a more general knowledge of Botany, we believe they will 

 be found to render the names of plants more familiar. We have 

 also adopted what we think a decided improvement in the index: 

 instead of a general one, we have given a list of all the plants men- 

 tioned in this Volume, with, in most instances, their synonymes 

 corrected; from which a reference can be made with great facility. 

 For this improvement, we are indebted, in part, to the 11th Vol- 

 ume of Loudon's Magazine, 



In addition to the above improvements in this Volume, in the 

 next will occasionally appear an article, headed Pomological JVb- 

 tices: these notices will contain accounts of all the new varieties 

 of fruits introduced, more particularly of the fine kinds of pears, 

 raised by the venerable and celebrated Professor Van Mons, of 

 Belgium. Those varieties which already exist in our gardens, un- 

 der different names, which may be noticed, will have their sy- 

 nonymes carefully and correctly given. To aid us in the perfec- 

 tion of this article, we shall be assisted by several eminent pomolo- 

 gists. Notices of all new vegetables, worthy of cultivation, will 

 also appear. The Floricultural notices will, as heretofore, em- 

 brace every thing new and interesting. 



With the close of this Volume, Mr. P. B. Hovey, jr., retires 

 from the editorial department. On this account, however, our 

 Magazine will not be rendered less interesting: he will continue 

 to assist by frequent contributions. With the same zeal in the 

 pursuit of horticulture which has heretofore animated us, we shall 

 endeavor to make the Magazine what it has ever been our desire 

 to, a periodical worthy of the support of all amateurs and lovers 

 of gardening. With the increasing taste for the science, which 

 we are vain enough to believe our Magazine has been eminently 

 useful in spreading, we anticipate a corresponding increase in its 

 circulation: our efforts will be directed to the difl^usion of such in- 

 formation as will continue to create a love of horticulture and 

 botany. To our friends who have so liberally contributed to its 

 pages, we again offer our warmest thanks. 



C. M. H., 

 P. B. H., Jr. 

 Boston, JVovemher Wh, 1836. 



