PREFACE TO THE FOURTH 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 find myself a successful author, and have now a fourth 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 povelty or other characteristics rather than for their beauty, are now omitted, and for the most part 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 |