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PREFACE. 
appreciation of it might be. Experience has further shown them that among 
gardeners, the numbers who seek for Scientific Information and Technical Botany 
are a limited class ; and although they have been honoured by support which has 
secured the highest circulation attained by any high-priced Botanical Publication, 
still that sale has fallen short of a remunerating point. Nevertheless, they still 
believe, and past experience confirms the impression, that there is a large class of 
readers who would gladly possess themselves of a work presenting good illustrations 
along with trustworthy information, if produced at a price placing it within their 
reach. Such a work the Proprietors are now preparing to submit to their present 
readers and the gardening world, as a worthy successor to " The Gardener's 
Magazine of Botany," in " The Companion to the Flowek Garden," a Prospectus 
of which will be found on a subsequent page. 
In taking a respectful leave of their subscribers and readers, the Conductors beg 
most warmly and sincerely to thank their many kind friends for the aid by which 
their own labours have been sustained, and which has resulted in the completion of a 
series of volumes, such as Contributors, Conductors, Artists, and Publishers, may 
alike feel a just pride in having been instrumental in producing. They would 
also take the opportunity of gratefully acknowledging the many encouraging assur- 
ances of approbation which have met them on all hands ; — of again extending the 
hand of fellowship which was held out when they commenced their labours ; and of 
expressing a hope that the friendly intercommunication which this publication has 
been the means, directly or indirectly, of promoting, may not be interrupted by the 
present change. 
London, November, 1851. 
CgJp^L 
