Tiii Introduction. 



to the Natural system is in accordance with the present 

 progress of botanical science. 



The American reader must, however, adopt the cultural 

 recommendations of the volume with much caution, and 

 make much allowance for the statements as to the hardiness 

 of the various plants. It must continually be borne in 

 mind that the book is written for the latitude of England, 

 where many plants are hardy which will not survive our 

 winters, and to which country many plants are indigenous 

 which are to us exotics. 



Of the illustrations we cannot speak too nighty. Yet we 

 need give no word of praise, for they are too attractive to 

 be carelessly passed over by even the most negligent reader. 

 While we cannot hope that the volume is above criticism, 

 and are free to confess that in some respects improvement 

 might be made, we welcome the book as a great aid to all 

 lovers of flowers, as an invaluable hand-book of botanical 

 knowledge, and one which will supply a long-felt want, and 

 will be of the greatest value, both to culturist and student. 



EDWARD S. RAND, JR. 



GLEN RIDGE, March, 1873. 



