INTROD UCTION. 



importance. This I first . had to do to a large extent in 

 various journals; then followed a book on the subject 

 and that led to a much larger work, all of which delayed 

 ' Alpine Flowers.' 



Should any reader observe in cultivation any alpine plants 

 of great beauty that are not included in this book, or which 

 do not receive due notice in it, I shall feel grateful for in- 

 formation on the subject, or for good specimens, as I shall 

 also be for photographs or sketches of beautiful rock-gardens, 

 or any other arrangements for alpine flowers possessing 

 distinct merit. 



W. R. 

 London, March 17, 1870. 



