ILLUSTRATIONS
The pictorial character of the work is likewise notable. There are over two thousand illustrations, and they are all made expressly for this work, either from accurate photographs or from the specimens. These illustrations have been drawn by competent [pg 390] horticultural artists, in nearly every case under the eye of the Editor, or with the supervision of some one of the sub-editors. No “trade” cuts are used.
In planning the illustrations, artistic effect has been kept in view, and while no drawing is used which does not show its subject with perfect scientific accuracy, the monotonous so-called “botanical” outlines, often made from lifeless herbarium specimens, are notably absent. The intention is to show the life of the plant, not merely its skeleton.
CONTRIBUTORS, SYSTEM, ETC.
As above mentioned, the contributors are men eminent as cultivators or as specialists on the various subjects. The important articles are signed, and it is expected that the complete work will include fully 5,000 signed contributions by horticulturists, cultivators and botanists.
The arrangement is alphabetical as to the genera, but systematic in the species. A very simple but complete plan of key-letters is used, and the whole arrangement is toward ease of reference as well as completeness of information. To each large genus there is a separate alphabetic index.
Important commercial subjects are treated usually under the best known name, whether it be the scientific or "common" designation. Thus, the apple is fully discussed as apple, rather than as Pyrus Malus, and the carnation comes into view in the third letter of the alphabet, not as Dianthus Caryophyllus. Carefully edited cross-references make it [pg 391] easy to find any desired subject, however, in the shortest time.
The plan of presenting the full details of culture of important plants, through the views of acknowledged practical experts upon the various subjects, assures the great value of the book to the man or woman who is obtaining a living from horticultural pursuits.
A special feature of the Cyclopedia of American Horticulture is its wealth of bibliographic reference. The world's horticultural literature has been thoroughly searched, and most carefully indexed, so that the student will find citations to every available article or illustration upon any subject consulted.
DETAILS OF PUBLICATION