INTRODUCTION. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It has become the practice of gardeners to speak of the 

 plants used for decorative purposes as the plant materials of 

 their art. These materials fall rather naturally into three 

 classes : the woody plants used in landscape architecture and 

 street planting, the herbs used for bedding and border planting, 

 pools, etc., and the grasses of lawns. 



The present little volume is an attempt to make it possible 

 for any careful observer to learn the generic and usually the 

 specific name of any hardy tree, shrub or woody climber that 

 he is likely to find cultivated in the eastern United States apart 

 from the extreme south or in northern Europe, anywhere except 

 on the more pretentious estates, or in nurseries or botanical 

 establishments. It accounts for 247 genera and 782 species, with 

 some 375 minor forms, or over 1150 distinct kinds. These per- 

 tain to 83 natural families. 



For a few -hopelessly complicated genera, such as the haws, 

 cotoneasters, mockoranges and roses, only a few of the most 

 easily recognized species have been admitted. Except for these, 

 an effort has been made to include all but the rarer or newer 

 species. By way of compensation for omissions, the common 

 trees and shrubs of the orchard may be traced to their species, 

 and also the commoner native shrubs and cover plants. 



It is assumed that the terms usually' applied to the parts of 

 plants are understood or will be looked up in the glossary by 

 anyone who wishes to use the keys, and that he will quickly 

 learn to make a small and not necessarily expensive pocket lens 

 of about twelve-diameter magnification his inseparable compan- 

 ion and helper : no further equipment is necessary except a good 

 store of care, patient interest, and common sense. 



To keep the book inexpensive, and of a size to fit the pocket, 

 identifications are provided for in concise keys. As a rule these 



