preface. 
Why has the beneficent Creator scattered over the 
face of the earth such a profusion of beautiful flow¬ 
ers—flowers by the thousand and million, in every 
land—from the tiny snowdrop that gladdens the 
chill spring of the north, to the gorgeous magnolia 
that flaunts in the sultry regions of the tropics? 
Why is it that every landscape has its appropriate 
flowers, every nation its national flowers, every rural 
home its home flowers? Why do flowers enter 
and shed their perfume over every scene of life, 
from the cradle to the grave? Why are flowers 
made to utter all voices of joy and sorrow in all 
varying scenes, from the chaplet that adorns the 
bride to the votive wreath that blooms over the 
tomb? 
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