INTRODUCTION 



11 



The plan of this book is sufficiently set forth in the table of con- 

 tents, and we therefore offer this Guide confident in the belief that it 

 will be found an excellent introduction to what is unequivocally one 

 of the most delightful recreations that man can pursue. 



Presenting Our Fourth and Perfected Edition 



A quiet editor, upon being told that he ought to be the best judge 

 of the merit of something he had written is said to have replied, in 

 effect: ''Not so; did you never realize that it is only the silkworm 

 itself that can never know what the coccoon that it has made looks 

 like" For this reason we would be less confident of our judgment 

 and optimism concerning the practical value of the Garden Guide 

 were they not reinforced by the sentiments and actions of the public 

 that has absorbed the three large editions which have preceded the 

 present printing. As it is, the continued demand, the undiminished 

 interest, the cordial commendation, tell us that the appreciation of 

 gardening in America is constantly growing and that our efforts are 

 truly filling the need for a compact, comprehensive, usable Garden 

 Manual. 



These efforts, however, are not the result of a hasty decision, a 

 sketchy survey of the ground, but of a quarter century of actual gar- 

 dening experience, of contact with garden lovers, of observation of their 

 activities, and of a study of their needs. We set out to provide those 

 facts that we know they are in search of, in the form and language in 

 which they can grasp and use them. We have written, compiled, 

 eliminated and augmented, not for effect, but for service, out of a 

 personal knowledge, sympathy and enthusiasm that binds all garden 

 lovers together into one great family. 



In the present edition the changes, aside from minor improve- 

 ments in 'arrangement, type styles, etc., designed to make the book 

 more convenient and pleasing to the eye, have been mainly additions 

 of new and valuable features. We call attention particularly to the 

 chapter on Common Diseases of Garden Plants and Their Control, 

 compiled by two representative plant pathologists of the country, 

 men who stand with the highest. Among other new features covered 

 may be mentioned the Canning of Fruits and Vegetables, Trans- 

 planting, The Vegetable Garden in Winter, Lawn and Garden Weeds, 

 Facts about Frost, Bungalow or Mid-Summer Gardening, Animal 

 Life in the Garden, Fertilizer Facts, etc. Needless to say, all data 

 and suggestions have been checked up, verified and, where necessary, 

 revised in accordance with up-to-date conditions and the most suc- 

 cessful modern principles, 



