38 ARISTOCRATS OF THE GARDEN 



accepted as demonstrably true. To the people of 

 Massachusetts it would seem ridiculous nonsense ! 



Therefore, in writing on horticultural matters, 

 and especially on those which are strongly influenced 

 by climate, it is necessary that one specify to what 

 particular part of a country his statements are in- 

 tended to apply. It is unfortunate that one's efforts 

 must be circumscribed, but the controlling factors are 

 beyond human restraint. In the case of these pages it 

 must be remembered that they have definite reference 

 mainly to gardens in the temperate parts of eastern 

 North America. The scope is broad, but details are 

 necessary; and it is climate that controls these details 

 since the plants I write of are recommended for the 

 embellishment of parks and outdoor gardens. 



Eastern North America is singularly rich in native 

 species of ornamental flowering trees and shrubs, 

 and in spring and early summer the waysides and 

 woodlands are everywhere gay with conspicuous 

 flowers. About midsummer this wealth of blossom 

 ceases in so far as woody plants are concerned, and tall- 

 growing herbs in meadow and swamp, in thicket and 

 forest-glade, proudly flaunt their multicolored flowers. 

 Even in cold New England, Nature so economizes 

 that there are very few weeks in the whole year when 

 absolutely no flowers are to be found out of doors. 



