"This work is intended for those who take delight in plants, but have not the advantage of a gardener who understands them . . . but there are several subordinate objects, of which one is the very obvious use of correct drawings in public boarding-schools . . ."

Ames prepared these orchid drawings to illustrate a paper she presented to The Garden Club of Halifax County in early 1947.

"It is hoped these Illustrations may add something to the means of enjoyment to be derived from plants; if they can cause an increase of gratification to those who possess beautiful gardens, or delight in searching out the native productions of our fields and woods; or if they should be able to awaken in any mind an interest in the pursuit of Botany, their design will be fulfilled, and a humble but very earnest desire accomplished."

"There is no pursuit which fills the mind with more noble and exalted sentiments than the study of these works of Nature...To her own sex, to whose particular notice she offers it, she trusts it may prove a useful and correct guide to their tastes, both in their selection for a flower garden, and as objects for their pencil."

"This work will consist chiefly of a selection of subjects from the choicest exotics, painted after Nature, with a correct outline of each and Instructions for producing a fac-simile of the finished drawing by Miss Smith."

Lawrence, Teacher of Botanical Drawing, devotes her collection of hand-colored plates, to the Queen with "Her Majesty's Gracious Permission Humbly Dedicated By Her most dutiful and devoted Servant Mary Lawrance."