IV INTRODUCTION. 
cautiously used, and even then its beneficial effects are not 
universal. However, it can in a liquid state be used to 
advantage on almost any plant, especially those of -strong 
habits, such as the Hose, Geranium, Fuchsia, Heliotrope, 
Chrysanthemum, &c. . To such, the following proportions 
will be very beneficial : 1 lb. of guano to 5 galls, of water ; 
after standing 12 or more hours, can be used in the routine 
of watering once a week or even once in two weeks ; but 
to plants that have more delicate and silky rootlets, such as 
Epacris, Erica, Azalea, &c, the liquid must be reduced one- 
half. 
Our descriptions of plants have been conveyed more with 
the view of giving an idea of their character to the general 
reader than an accurate botanical synopsis, which would 
have been known to the botanist alone. All that wc have 
described and recommended have, with a few exceptions, 
passed under our own observation, and are such as are 
worthy of cultivation, either for beauty of flower, foliage, or 
habit, together with those celebrated in arts and medicine. 
Many may, possibly, have passed unobserved, either from 
not being very generally known or difficult to obtain; but 
in no case has there been suppression, from business preju- 
dices. Where the words " our collections" occur, they are 
meant for those of the country generally. 
All our observations have been guided by dint of practice ; 
and, although others may differ, this is designedly and pro- 
fessedly given as the result of our own experience. The 
plan laid down is our own routine of culture ; the soils are 
those which we adopt; but, at the same time, conceding that 
every art and profession is subject to improvement, and none 
more so than American horticulture. The table of soils was 
originally constructed at the expense of much investigation 
and labour, and has, also, in this edition, undergone consider- 
able improvement. To every one that has but a single plant 
