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CONTENTS |
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DESCRIPTION |
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| Basing a new edition of the Gardener's Dictionary one the original one of 1846 involved in the addition of many thousand names, and in doing so we have consulted the Kew Bulletin far new plants from 1876 to 1910 inclusive; also the seven Kew Hand-list of plants actually in cultivation there, which means most of those grown at the present day. The lists of new Chinese plants, issued by Messers J. Veitch and sons have also been added. Much of our information has been gleaned from the living plants themselves, during our close contact with the new collection since 1880. All the names have been checked altered if wrong and brought up to date, according to the arrangement in the Genera Plantarum, by Bentham and Hooker, aided by the Kew Hand-lists, The index Kewensis, and synopsis Filicum and ferns. To avoid the repetition of synonyms the old names have been retained in their proper alphabetical order, and, if altered, the reference is given to the modern ones. The genus Prunus now includes amygdals, persica, armeniaca, Prunus cerasus, Padus and Laurocerasus, but for horticultural purposes their identity has been preserved by arranging the species in six alphabetical lists under each headings as Almonds and peaches, Apricots, Plums, Cherries, Bird Cherries in like manner Pyrus includes Pyrus , Malus, Aria, Sorbus, Aronia, Pseudocydonia and Mes pilus, but , although this is not new in all cases, the species have been grouped under such well recognised names as Pears, Apples, White beam trees, Mountain ashes, Medlars, etc. The Quinces are still retained under Cydonia. Azalea, Rhodedendron, Cactus, Echium, Orobus, Pinus and Pyrethrum have been dealt with somewhat similarly, but the cross references will make clear what the correct and modern names are. As in the first edition, the English translation or meaning of each generic or specific name has been given by reference to the original Latin or Greek, except in the case of proper or commemorative names and names of places, which are more obvious. In the pronunciation of Greek and Latin names every vowel or diphthong is equivalent to a syllable; and an ancient is placed after the vowel upon which emphasis or stress should be laid in speaking. The cultural articles on flowers, Fruits and vegetables have been amended and brought upto date, or in some cases rewritten. The height of plants is given in feet or some fraction of a foot. The use of technical terms has been avoided in all cases, except for fungi, where they are strictly limited. |
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