PREFACE TO THE SIXTH EDITION 



TIS well-known little work, which has been out of print for a considerable time, 

 I being frequently asked for, THE LAWSON SEED AND NURSERY COMPANY have 

 much pleasure in issuing the present edition in a different, but, they trust, not less 

 acceptable form. 



There is scarcely anything new to be said on a subject which has already been so ex- 

 haustively treated. There hare been no additional introdtictions of HERBAGE and FORAGE 

 PLANTS during the past score of years considered worthy of notice here. It is, however, 

 remarkable that the cultivation of tJie most important grasses, to which earnest attention was 

 called many years ago in the early editions of these pages, has increased over the world to an 

 extent little anticipated by the Pioneers in their introduction; several sub-varieties formerly 

 noticed, not being of practical value to the agriculturist, are now discarded. 



The Tables for regulating the various mixtures of Grass Seeds remain nearly as they 

 were; many years of careful study of the subject, and the almost universal adoption of the 

 system, having demonstrated the wisdom and forethought of their original compilers. The 

 illustrations of leading sorts of grasses form a new feature in the book, and, considering the 

 life-long devotion to, and interest in, this and kindred subjects, evinced by one lately passed 

 away, the Frontispiece may perhaps be considered not inappropriate on this occasion. 



EDINBURGH, February 



