ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



To the numerous friends who have rendered me valuable 

 aid in the preparation of this work, I would here express 

 my grateful obligations. 



The illustrations, so finely delineated, are from the pencil 

 of Mr. ISAAC S PRAGUE, of Grantville, Mass. 



My acknowledgments are also due to J. F. C. HYDE, 

 Esq., of Newton, Mass. ; to Rev. E. PORTER DYER, of 

 Somerville, Mass. ; to Hon. JOSEPH BRECK, author of 

 " Book of Flowers," and late President of the Massachu- 

 setts Horticultural Society ; to CHARLES M. HOVEY, Esq. , 

 editor of "The Magazine of Horticulture," and President 

 of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society ; to PHINEAS B. 

 HOVEY, Esq., nurseryman and seedsman, of Cambridge, 

 Mass. ; and to DANIEL T. CURTIS, Esq., seedsman and 

 florist, and for many years Chairman of the Committee on 

 Vegetables of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



For information or other very acceptable assistance, I am 

 also indebted to Rev. CALVIN LINCOLN, of Hingham, Mass. ; 

 Rev. JOHN L. RUSSELL, of Salem, Mass. ; JOHN A. BUT- 

 LER, Esq., of Chelsea, Mass. ; EDWARD S. RAND, Jun., 

 Esq., of Boston ; Mr. AUSTIN BRONSON, of Enfield, N.H. ; 

 GEORGE W. PRATT, Esq., of Boston ; Mr. E. HENRY 

 GREENWOOD, of Needham, Mass. ; Mr. CALVIN A. LIN- 

 COLN, of Hingham, Mass. ; Dr. THOMAS M. BREWER, of 



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