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THE 



FLOWER GARDEN. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Many and various are the pleasures and advantages to be 

 attained from the study of plants, and the cultivation of 

 them in the flower garden. The first leads to the know- 

 ledge of one of the most beautiful and instructive branches of 

 science ; and the second furnishes an employment well cal- 

 culated to lead the contemplative mind, in the language of 

 Shakespeare, to — 



" Find tongues in trees, books in the i-unning brooks. 

 Sermons in stones, and good in every thing." 



The cultivation of the flower garden must be considered as 

 an amusement extremely well calculated to employ our leisure 

 hours, being one of the most innocent, as well as one of the 

 most salutary employments, that can excite the attention of 

 the human mind. To be employed in contemplating the ope- 

 rations of nature, and in viewing the harmony of her works 

 through the kingdom of vegetables, must make far deeper 

 and more lasting impressions on the mind than all the extra- 

 vagant vociferations of the enthusiast. 



" Not a tree, 

 A plant, a leaf, but contains 

 A folio volume. — We may read, and read. 

 And read again : and still find something new ; 

 Something to please, and something to instruct 

 Even in the humble weed." 



A taste for the cultivation of flowers has long occupied the 

 attention of individuals in this country, and the introduction 



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