Suggestions on the Use of 
This Manual 
In Florida as elsewhere the amateur planter is confronted by an amazing number and variety 
of problems that at times seem almost insurmountable. How to arrange walks and drives—what 
plants to purchase and where and how to plant them—should a lily pool be built, and where, 
and what kind, and how constructed—where put a simple garden structure such as pergola or 
teahouse—would a cactus garden be practical—a never ending string of interrogation points! 
It is at such times that this manual and the personal service facilities of this organization can 
be of very great help. As far as the general design and arrangement of the construction features 
of your property are concerned, we can furnish experienced and most competent assistance in the 
profession of landscape architecture. In this connection we suggest that you write us fully as to 
your problems. In respect to the selection of plant materials: if you wish to do this yourself, 
this manual will be of inestimable service to you. Note, for example, not only the arrangement 
into groups on a basis of general character and usefulness, but the suggestions and special classi¬ 
fications as well, as given on page 3. Should there still be questions that remain unanswered, we 
offer the general service of this organization—either come and see us personally at the nursery 
headquarters at Oneco or write us with as clear an outline of your problem as you can so give, 
preferably accompanied with photographs. 
If you are in search of some particular plant of which you know either the common or bo¬ 
tanical name, refer to the detailed index at back of the book. Let us assume for example that you 
are looking for the pigmy date. Referring to the index you will find this name followed by two 
numbers—17 and 8. The first number refers to the group number by which it is classified; the 
second number refers to the page on which it will be found. If you now wish to find the sizes 
and prices available, refer to the separate price list where you will find all plants grouped under 
the same general classification as in the manual. 
Nomenclature. A word about the naming and listing of plant materials. In general 
(with a few obvious exceptions) we have listed plants according to their botanical names. This 
is desirable for several reasons. Many plants do not have authentic common titles that are known 
and recognized in this country and it is unwise to scramble scientific and common names. Then, 
too, scientific names are the same the world over—common names vary even in localities. 
As to scientific names, these are continually being changed to meet shifting points of view, 
or on the establishment of better information on plant structure or historical precedent. In the 
face of differences of opinion between authorities we can only adopt, in part at least, a middle 
course that seems best to us under the circumstances. In general we have conformed as much as 
seemed practical to us to Bailey's “Hortus." If authorities still criticize our nomenclature we 
must perforce light our pipe and assume an expression of cheerfully philosophical resignation. 
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