Some forty years ago the commencement and partial preparation of this work assisted to beguile the tedium of a winter’s residence from home, where even Orange and Magnolia groves with the novel vegetation of a semi-tropical region, could scarcely dispel the ennui attending a life of idleness.

We were then fresh from contact with some earnest rose lovers abroad. Rivers in England had impressed us with his enthusiastic energy, and, in Paris, the force of Hardy, the industry of Vibert and the charming manners of Laffay left enjoyable memories. For many interesting facts we were much indebted to Deslongchamps and several anonymous writers. To the former our obligations were due, both for the plan of this work and for many researches to which his name could not be conveniently attached on its pages.

Upon the classification we bestowed much thought, and now, after many years, we think it is still the best we could have made. Rose growers will, we think, find the labor of selection much diminished by its simplicity.

In directions for culture, we give the results of our own experience, and have not hesitated to avail ourselves of any satisfactory results in the experience of others which might enhance the utility of the work.

In the list of sorts published with the first edition there were nearly two thousand names. So great has[Pg 4] been the increase of varieties in forty years that it would be a work of labor to enumerate them. Some of the best varieties in the first edition are still the best, and in revising the list of sorts we have not thrown out all of these. Of the newer hardy sorts we have adopted some which are recommended by Mr. Paul, and many others of which our judgment is confirmed by that of Mr. John Henderson, whose opinion cannot be questioned. The large scale on which Mr. Henderson has for many years forced roses for cut flowers makes his opinion of tender classes especially valuable, and we have placed in our list, without hesitation, his favorite sorts.

We have stricken out much of the poetry, which to the cultivator may have seemed irrelevant if not worthless, and for the interest of the classical scholar, have retained much of the early history of the Rose, and its connection with the manners and customs of the two great nations of a former age.

For our labor we shall feel abundantly compensated, if this work, in its revised form, shall in any way tend to produce a more general admiration and increased culture of the most beautiful flower known.

Flushing, N. Y., December, 1887.