VI 



many planters, mercantile and professional men, manifest a keen 

 interest in their garden, and in some cases become experts in the 

 cultivation of certain classes of plants which claim their special 

 attention. Superintendents of estates or plantations in lonely 

 districts admit that the presence of choice flowering plants or trees 

 about their bungalow have an exhilarating influence, and when 

 these are absent it is usually clue not so much to indifference on 

 the part of the superintendent as to circumstances over which he 

 has no control. In Rubber districts especially, the depressing 

 effects of long interminable stretches of sombre-looking rubber 

 trees is well-known, and recently several companies have shown a 

 desire to have attractive flowering trees (as urged by the writer in 

 a recent pamphlet) planted around the bungalows of their 

 superintendents. 



For ladies, gardening has special attractions; the cultivation 

 and arrangement of flowers is not only especially appropriate to 

 them, but they are also frequently successful competitors with men 

 in the art. 



I leave it in the hands of readers to judge of the merits of this 

 work, if it has any. The general arrangement of the plants or 

 crops, useful or ornamental, into sections according to the elevation 

 and purpose for which they are especially suited, will, I trust, be 

 appreciated. To facilitate reference and save the time of readers, 

 considerable use has been made of tabular forms which contain 

 only the most essential particulars. The planting products in 

 Chapters XXII and XXIII are considered in accordance with their 

 importance in Ceylon. Though a botanical arrangement has been 

 avoided in preference to an economic or practical one, the 

 botanical name and Natural Order or family of each plant or 

 product mentioned throughout the book are invariably given. 

 Most people nowadays know the meaning of plant affinity, and to 

 these a knowledge of a plant's scientific name and family often 

 conveys some idea as to its general character or utility. The 

 common or vernacular names, when sufficiently popular or well- 

 known, are given in English, Sinhalese, and Tamil, also in some 

 cases in Hindustani and Malay. 



My thanks are due to several gentlemen as well as ladies who 

 have kindly supplied me. with valuable suggestions and information. 

 LADY BLAKK has favoured me \vith useful notes on various 

 ornamental plants, and MRS. WESTLAND and other ladies have 

 contributed recipes for jams, jellies, preserves, etc. I am especially 



