PREFACE. 



This book is intended to furnish botanical classes and be^nners 



'generally with an easier introduction to 'the t)lants of this country 

 than is the Manual, and one which' includes the. common cultivated 

 as well as the native specie's^" It iS maide more concise' and simple, 

 1. by the use of somei^hat less technical languiage ; 2. by the omis- 

 sion, as far' as poSsibIfe,of' the mOre recondite and, for the present 

 •purpose-, less essential characters ; tod also of' most of the obscure, 

 'insignificant; or rare pliiiits'-wliiiiiii students 'will Bot;be apt to meet 



'with or to examine, o'r which are quite too difficult foP' beginners; 



■such as th^ Sedgesj 'most -(qrrasses^ and 'the croWdi of Golden Kbds, 



<A$ter3^< Sunflowers, and the Iike,<which require very 'critical study. 



On the other hand, this small volume' is- more coinprebeilsive than 

 the Manual, since it comprises the common herbs, shrlib^, and trees 

 of the Southerh as well as thB^ Northern flifd:,Middle:Staties, and all 



-which are commonly cultivated or plabted, for ornament or use, in 

 fields, gardens, pleafiUE^- grounds, or in house-culture, including even 



- the coniservatory plants ordinarily met with. ', 



' It is very desirable that students should be able to use exotic as 

 well as indigenous plants in analysis ; and a scientific acquaintance 

 with tfae\plants and flowers most common around Us in garden, field, 

 and greenrh(i>use,: and which so largely contribute to, our wellrbeiflg 



-and enjoyment, I would seem to be no less, important than in the case 

 of our native plants. If it is worth while so .largely to assemble 

 around us ornamental and useful trees, plants, and . flowers, it is cer- 

 tainly well to know what they are aiid what they are like. : To stu- 



' dents in agricultural schools and colleges this kind of knowledge 

 will' be especially important. 



One of the main objects of this book is to provide cultivators, 

 gardeners, and amateurs, and aU who are fond of plants and flawers, 

 with a simple guide to a knowledge of > their botanical names aqd 



