PREFACE 
The idea of writing this little book occurred to 
me because numerous people have frequently 
asked me, “When did you take up gardening ? ” 
and seemed surprised at my reply, that I never 
remembered being without a garden. The 
fashion of “ taking up ” gardening is now so 
prevalent, that I thought it might be a help to 
have some simple book that would form a 
sound foundation of the rudiments of gardening 
for children and beginners of all ages. I hope 
this little volume may be fortunate in directing 
their ideas to the work required to produce 
bright gardens, and that by pointing out a few 
of the endless attractions of the pastime, it may 
increase in the young the taste for practical 
gardening, which I myself, in common with 
thousands at all times of life, have found to be 
one of the surest sources of happiness. This 
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