PREFACE ΤΟ THE NINTH EDITION. WHEN I penned the first edition of this little work, I must confess that I was not very sanguine as to its favourable reception; but, to my agreeable surprise, I found myself a successful author, and have now a ninth edition called for by a generous public. I have, therefore, in the following pages, endeavoured to evince my gratitude by making my book not an empty echo to its title, but a true guide; consequently, many varieties of roses described in former editions, on account only of their novelty or other characteristics, rather than for their beauty, are now omitted, and those only that are really beautiful and strictly worthy the attention of the Rose Amateur are dilated upon: I have, in fact, profited by time and experience. A multitude of new roses have been introduced since the publication of the first edition; and various modes of culture have suggested themselves. From the former I have culled the choicest and the sweetest, bidding adieu to many old varieties, on account of their being surpassed by some that are new, but retaining those old roses not to be surpassed, i. e. those that are absolutely perfect in their form and colouring, which will all be found in their places: for it would indeed be unjust to neglect a good old friend with sterling qualities. In cultivation much improvement has taken place; and rapid progress has been made in the culture of roses in pots: under this head I have given fully the results of my experience. In the articles on propagation, the fruits of more than thirty pleasant years' unceasing attention are given with candour. I have nothing withheld, nor, I trust, aught forgotten. A practical cultivator, in writing on cultivation, labours under a disadvantage; he almost obstinately supposes that everyone must know something relative to these, with him, every-day operations: he is apt, therefore, not to go sufficiently into detail. I have strenuously combated this feeling, and humbly trust that what I have written on that subject will be found sufficiently explicit. ROSE HILL, SAWBRIDGEWORTH, HERTS: November 1866. |