6 INTRODUCTION TO THE TRANSLATION. 



1730, but the then difficulty of its propagation and the total ignorance of its 

 seed, together with the extremely restricted trade to China which existed 

 at that period, rendered the wide dissemination of it almost impossible. 



For the next 60 or 70 years it remained a scarce plant and was so little 

 known that its usual appellation was simply Japonica; the first appearance 

 of its seed in the nurseries was considered a great rarity and after many 

 experiments a few new and good varieties were raised. 



But it was reserved for the modern scientific study of the physiology of 

 plants, which teaches that each bud is certainly a separate plant equivalent 

 under proper treatment to a seed, although differing from it in some points, 

 and for the recent refinements in horticulture by which new varieties are 

 raised, and the rapid increase of plants carried to an almost unlimited extent, 

 to spread amongst the multitude the delight and gratification of beholding 

 and cultivating these perfections of the floral kingdom. 



It may well be doubted whether the pursuit and dissemination of any 

 other branch of the arts or sciences has added so much to the general mass 

 of healthful and innocent pleasure enjoyed by the inhabitants of this beauti- 

 ful earth, or has presented employments for the active mind more alluring 

 from the paths of vice and degradation, than the pursuit and dissemination 

 of Horticulture and Botany. 



It is very probable that a more intimate acquaintance with the simply 

 practical experience on Horticultural manipulation which must exist amongst 

 the Chinese may yet add something to our present extensive knowledge on 

 this subject. For even at this day new and charming varieties of the camellia 

 of combinations hitherto unknown to us arrive from that country. Their 

 chrysanthemums are exceedingly beautiful and it is scarcely within five 

 years that any hybrids at all to be compared to them have been produced 

 in Europe. In their Pseonies and tree pseonies they are as yet unrivalled, 

 and if report speaks true many other and more beautiful varieties exist in the 

 interior of the country. Several Altheas {Hibiscus Syriacus) recently im- 

 ported from thence, throw all hitherto known into the shade. 



It will be delightful when the spread of the knowledge and consequently 

 of the interest in horticulture shall reach the heads of the extensive com- 

 mercial establishments in this country j as their ships traverse every sea and 

 their captains would unquestionably exert themselves to procure the rare 

 and beautiful productions of every soil they visit, to add to the pleasure of 

 their owners, and increase the stock of knowledge in their native country. 

 Patience; this time is approaching. 



Those who wish to have healthy and luxuriant camellias to ornament 

 the interior of their dwellings should have the following impressions distinct 

 on their minds — 



