i V . 



INTRODUCTION. 



not what part of it to attach himself to, and is at a loss as to how to proceed! Even 



the experienced, in making efforts in new directions, often stand in need of a guide. It is 



to help tlie home-gardener that this book has been prepared. Here, whether his garden be 



large or small, it is confidently believed that he will discover what he requires. The 



arrangement is simple — alphabetical wherever possible — and information is given in the 



simplest way, and in a manner that everyone can understand. ( )ur gardener loves his 



Harden and its flowe'S and fruits with a pure enjoyment, for their own salve. He is a 



botanist, perhaps, though not one of those who 



" Love not the flower they pluck and know it not, 

 And all their botany is bul Laiin names." 



However, here the aim has been practical, and hard technical terms are avoided wherever 

 that could be done. The illustrations are many and beautiful, and will be particularly 

 helpful, though the book is far from being a picture-booh. The whole work - of the flower, 

 fruit, and vegetable garden has been considered from the very beginning, and the laying-out 

 and draining of the land, up to the gathering of the blossoms in the borders, of fruit from 

 the orchard or the hothouses, and of kitchen products from the useful garden beyond. The 

 steps that are to be taken to give variety, charm, and character to the garden, the means 

 that conduce to success, and the dangers and pests that invade have all their place in this 

 book. Again, every aspect and variety of gardening, it is believed, has been adequately 

 treated according to its importance. The garden of general character, with its varied contents 

 imported from every part of the world ; the fruit garden and the orchard ; water, rock', 

 and bog gardens; the fernery and the wall garden; the broad lawns and paths; the garden 

 trees and flowering bushes ; the trim hedges, the gay parterres, and the radiant mixed 



GROUPS OF HYBRID WATER-LILIES. 



