PREFACE 



This book has grown out of the author's expei-ience 

 in the lecture room and laboratory, while giving in- 

 structions to students in the Short Course in Agricul- 

 ture, in the University of Wisconsin. 



It is intended especially for students who have had 

 little or no previous instruction in botany, and it is hoped 

 that it may also be found interesting and profitable to 

 the general reader who would learn more of the prin- 

 ciples that underlie the culture of plants. 



It is expected that the instructor will amplify the 

 text in proportion to the time at his command, and the 

 capacity of his students. In the author's practice, the 

 first three chapters have been found sufficient for a term 

 of twelve weeks, and the remaining chapters, supple- 

 mented with some special work in horticulture, have 

 served for a second term. 



A syllabus of laboratory work is added as an appendix. 



It is hoped that this book may prove as useful to other 

 instructors as it has proved to the author during its 

 evolution. 



Madison, Wis., Feb. 15, 1897. B. S. GOFF. 



