EPILOGUE 



MORE years of my life than I care to remem- 

 ber have been spent in searching the re- 

 mote parts of eastern Asia for new plants 

 of value for the embellishment of western gardens. The 

 work has not been devoid of hardship and its spice of 

 danger; but if the art of gardening and the science of 

 horticulture benefit thereby, the years have been well 

 spent. 



On my return in the early spring of 1915, from a 

 year's work in the empire of Japan, I was curious 

 to discover, if possible, how much genuine interest 

 existed in this country in the matter of gardens and 

 how widespread the interest might be. After much 

 thought I concluded that a measurable test might be 

 made by publishing a series of articles, general yet com- 

 prehensive in character. The kindergarten element 

 had no place in my scheme any more than that exalted 

 in the ranks. The question could be properly an- 

 swered only by the class that had some knowledge of 

 the art, and in whom interest and love were already 

 aroused. With this object in mind, but not divulged, 

 I approached the Editor of the Garden Magazine. 



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