FOREWORD 



the different conditions in the various sections of the 

 country which produce such a diversity of opinion. 

 In the garden world, part of its wisdom is to be very 

 liberal and broad-miaded. Old-time conventions, so- 

 called infallible rules concerning flowers, are often open 

 to question and change. Some of these rules are not 

 necessarily cast-iron laws, and certain liberties may 

 be taken with a plant in one locality that might be 

 disastrous to it in another place. There are some things 

 that one must learn for himself by experience in his 

 own garden; for instance: the depth of winter cover- 

 ing required; the biennials and hardy annuals that 

 may or may not need to be wintered in frames; the 

 safe time in spring for setting out tender annuals, 

 etc., etc.; all depending on the climate. Again, what 

 plant causes more discussion than the Dahlia.'' Is it 

 possible, that notwithstanding all the conflicting ad- 

 vice for the benefit of the Dahlia, plentiful watering 

 may be the one important rule for its best develop- 

 ment? In many places the following plants, Gypso- 

 phila, Dahlia, Lavatera, and Salpiglossis, grow lux- 

 uriantly, but in my dry garden, where watering is 

 difficult, it is useless to expect any satisfaction from 

 them. Again, and for other local reasons, it is seldom 

 that August-sown Shirley Poppies survive the winter 

 in the northern exposure of my hillside, and they 

 must be sown instead about April 1, or even upon the 



[xii] 



