SOLD TO SUBSCRIBERS ONLY . 



DEDICATED, BY PERMISSION, TO THE PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL 

 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In Six Divisions, cloth, gilt edges, at \os. bd. each ; or in Three Volumes at zis. each. 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



{Gold Medallist of the Fniiteren' Company); Editor, " yournai of Horticulture" and Garden- Work." 



WITH COLOURED ILLUSTRATIONS by MISS HAMILTON and MISS MARIE LOW. 



PROSPECTUS. 



SO great has been the increase in the demand for flowers during the past few years, both for home adornment 

 and personal " wear " in towns, as well as the desire for them in the gardens and greenhouses of various sections 

 of the population in suburban and rural districts, that Floriculture has become one of the most popular — as it is 

 one of the most delightful — home pursuits, as well as an important commercial industry. 



Evidence of the attractive power of plants and flowers is apparent almost everywhere, and is afforded in many and 

 varied ways — in the crowds, ever increasmg, which cluster around the beautiful floral combinations in our public parks 

 and gardens, or that scan the borders for the names of plants and shrubs that are grown there ; in the enormous 

 number of flower shows — spring, summer, and autumn — which attract in the aggregate hundreds of thousands of 

 visitors ; in the formation of floral societies and their long roll of members ; in the establishment of amateurs' and 

 gardeners' associations — those are only some of the outward and visible signs of the deep love for flowers and the 

 strong desire for learning all that can be learned about them that exists among the various classes of the communit}'. 



Recognising the force of these facts, and having in view the success of our endeavour to meet the requirements of 

 another section of horticulturists, by the production of " The Fruit Grower's Guide," it is felt that the time has 

 arrived for producing a companion work ot the same orn amental and instructive character devoted to the propagation 

 and culture of the several kinds of plants and flowers that are employed for the embellishment of gardens, large and 

 small, furnishing conservatories and greenhouses, and brighte ning our homes. 



In the preparation of " The Flower Grower's Guide" the services of the same well known horticulturist who 

 completed the pioneer work indicated so satisfactorily, have been secured ; and if a term of thirty years spent in 

 gardens, supplemented by twenty years of editorial experience in connection with two horticultural journals, together 

 with expert coadjutors, qualify for this not light undertaking, then may the work which we have the pleasure to intro- 

 duce be expected to justify its name. 



It is in the full confidence that it will do so that we commend it to all who desire sound knowledge on the 

 subjects on which it will treat. In these days of sharp rivalry we beheve "The Flower Grower's Guide" will be 

 necessary for all who engage in gardening as a vocation, and especially so to the numerous young gardeners who are 

 now commendably striving for the efficiency by which alone they can hope to attain the goal of their worthy ambition. 

 Not less essential must such a work be to the thousands of amateurs who either manage their own gardens or entrust 

 them largely to the necessary, often able, but sometimes peculiar, jobbing gardener or odd man — the very men who 

 themselves are in urgent need of supervision ; while all owners even of extensive and cherished gardens will find in them 

 a greater source of pleasure and satisfaction through an acquaintance with the practical routine, even though this 

 may be carried out by the ablest of men. 



To Gardeners of all grades it is intended that " The Flower Grower's Guide " shall be acceptable, to inex 

 perienced amateurs useful, and to all who love flowers interesting. 



It will convey information on the formation, arrangement, and planting of gardens ; on lawns and paths ; on rocky 

 mounds and ferny dells ; on trees and shrubs for useful screens and appropriate ornamentation ; on structures of 

 various kinds and methods of heating ; on plants and flowers suitable for all purposes and positions— plants rich and 

 rare for those who need them, and of others that ar-e within the reach of all who have the means, however complete 

 or limited, for growing them. 



" The Flower Grower's Guide " will tell how they may be raised, grown, and preserved in clear terms, 

 founded on practice, in every case. It will not be in conflict with any other works, but will differ from them all, and is 

 intended to be the most complete compendium of Flower Garden m.anagement and decorative plant cultivation that 

 has yet been produced. 



The work is embellished with forty-three Coloured Plates and three Vignettes, in which upwards of one hundred of 

 the choicest varieties of flowers are faithfully and artistically portrayed by Miss Hamilton and Miss Marie Low, together 

 with numerous diagram illustrations in the text by Mr. George Shayler. 



CONDITIONS OF PUBLICATION. 



The Work will be completed in Six Divisions, cloth, gilt edges, at los. 6d. each ; or in Three Volumes, at 2 is. each. 

 Each Division will contain One Hundred and Seventy-six pages of Letterpress and Eight Coloured Illustrations. Each Volume, Three 

 Hundred and Sixty pages and Fifteen Coloured Illustrations. 



The size of the work is Demy 4to. The issue is confined to Subscribers, and supplied by the Publishers' Agents only. 



Fl.G.Ct.— I. 



London: J. S. VIRTUE & CO., Limited, 294, CiTy Road, E.C. 



