vi preface. 



and experience of a Loudon ; and tastes vary 

 largely as regards the worth and beauty of in- 

 dividual flowers. 



It has been the aim to present a simple out- 

 line of hardy flower-gardening, rather than a 

 formal treatise or text-book of plants to stimu- 

 late a love for amateur gardening that may be 

 carried out by all who are willing to bestow 

 upon it that meed of attention it so bountifully 

 repays. Nearly all the subjects referred to are 

 such as may be successfully grown in the low- 

 er lake region, and, for the most part, have 

 come under notice in the writer's garden. 



Different soils and different treatment often 

 produce widely dissimilar results ; and even the 

 limited list presented may possibly be found to 

 contain some departure from the well-known 

 types. Moreover, it is pleasant sometimes to 

 look at a flower through different eyes. The 

 flower remains the same, though its perfume 

 may become accentuated, and the garden prove 

 the more inviting the oftener its beauties are 

 set forth. 



