viii PREFACE 



May I go one step further and say that, while it 

 is always pleasant to hear from or to see old friends, 

 and indeed all who work hard in their own gardens, 

 yet, as a would-be quiet worker, who is by no means 

 over-strong, I venture to plead with my kind and 

 numerous, though frequently unknown friends, that I 

 may be allowed to retain a somewhat larger measure 

 of peace and privacy. 



a J. 



