INTRODUCTION. 



As some misapprehensions have arisen, and false statements 

 have been made in regard to the present volume, it is not out of 

 place to preface the present edition with a few words of introduc- 

 tion. 



The volume is not wholly a new book, but is mostly composed 

 of a revision - of chapters which originally appeared in " Flow- 

 ers for the Parlor and Garden." The latter work, however, em- 

 braces a large range of subjects, many of which are only of interest 

 to those who have extensive horticultural facilities ; and this, in 

 addition to its cost, necessarily places it above the reach of the 

 large number who have only opportunities for window gardening, 

 and who only wish a cheap manual of culture. 



It was to meet this demand that the volume was originally 

 issued; and the cordial reception it has thus far met in the sale 

 of former editions well attests that it supplies a popular want. 



While generally the subject-matter is not new, all has been 

 revised, and the whole volume brought up to the point of horti- 

 cultural progress of the present year. This, of course, involved 



