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botanical. 
GARDEN 
With pleasure I present to the world my Floral Guide for 1881 , for f 
think it the handsomest issued during the quarter of a century of its publica¬ 
tion. Of its value as a Guide and instructor my readers must judge. That 
it is prized by the lovers of Flowers and the cultivators of choice Vegetables 
is evident from the fact that a quarter of a million copies were called for 
last year, and that it is found in every hamlet and almost every house from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific — on the rugged rocky Eastern shore, on the 
fertile Prairies, among the Mountains and Canyons of the Pacifie Slope — 
throughout the sunny South, on every Continent and the Isles of the Sea. 
I have endeavored to describe briefly and in plain words the character of 
the leading Flowers and Vegetables, including almost everything worthy of 
cultivation, at least the very best in each department, with such instructions 
for their culture that the least experienced need not fail. Experience, how 
ever, is the best teacher, and those who study and sow and plant will con¬ 
quer success, learn to love this delightful employment, and soon create a 
little of Eden beauty and enjoy st me of its happiness in “ tilling and keep 
ing” the garden in spite of the thorns and briars. A little difficulty in its 
attainment sweetens success, and of this sweetness cultivators generally 
have a full share, for in addition to the original curse we have to contend against unfavorable 
weather, insect enemies, and a host of adverse circumstances. 
To enable us to better serve our friends and customers, during the last summer we erected on 
our grounds, on East Avenue, Rochester, N. Y., a large, handsome and convenient building one 
hundred and sixty-two feet front, and fifty-four deep, where we now have our packing and ship¬ 
ping rooms, printing office, bindery and business office. Here, also, we have our artists con¬ 
venient to our grounds and greenhouses, where they can always procure plants and flowers for 
drawing and engraving. Removal caused trouble and delay, and we no doubt owe some of our 
friends an apology for delay in filling their orders in the autumn, though we hope every one was 
well served at last, and no greit inconvenience suffered. 
We design to make our grounds worthy a visit from friends when passing this way, and while 
there will be some things of interest at all times, the most brilliant show will be during fuly and 
August. At the proper season visitors will find on these grounds immense beds of Lilies of 
almost every kind known, which flower in succession during the latter part of June and July, and 
in favorable seasons a few will remain through the early part of September; also acres of Gladi¬ 
oli, embracing the newest and choicest kinds from Europe and thousands of our own seedlings, 
some of which we have selected for name, and after little more trial shall offer to our customers. 
The Gladiolus commence flowering late in June and usually last until the middle of September. 
On these grounds we have also our collection of Geraniums and other bedding plants, such as 
Coleus, Cannas, Caladiums, with Roses, Perennial Phloxes. &c. Perhaps nothing makes a more 
brilliant show during their season, June, than the Preonies, of which we have a complete collec- 
