I'.ll THE BOTAM-T> <>\' I'll 1 1. A Dill. I'll I A. 



situation as gardener to Henry Pratt, who. at that time, 

 had perhaps the most beautiful garden in the United States. 

 This was at Lemon Hill, which has since become a part of 

 Fair mount Park. 



It was about the time of young Buist's arrival in 

 Philadelphia that the tremendous strides in horticulture 

 about Philadelphia began, in which he subsequently took a 

 leading part. The nurseries then in existence in and near 

 the city we're Bartram's, conducted by Colonel Carr : 

 M'Mahon's; Landreth's, in Moyamensing ; Maupay's, at 

 Rising Sun, and Hibbert's, which was probably the first 

 florist's establishment. In the whole city of Philadelphia 

 there were only two greenhouses which kept gardeners, 

 though there were a few more in the suburbs. Such a 

 thing as a 1 tedding plant was unknown. Hardy herbaceous 

 plants and box edgings made up the chief garden attrac- 

 tions, and only those who had greenhouses with rare exotics 

 believed they had much of which to be particularly proud. 

 During the year LS20 the Pennsylvania Horticultural 

 Society had its first grand exhibition. 



In LS30 Mr. Buist entered into partnership with Mr. 

 Hihbert, and Hibbert & Buist did an immense business as 

 florists at Twelfth and Lombard Streets. They commenced 

 at once the importation of rare plants and flowers, paying 

 attention especially to the rose. Among the importations 

 were the Noisette rose and Jaune des Pre/, on which they 

 made a clear profit of $1000. Later, on Mr. Ilibbert's death, 

 Kn'bert Buist commenced the seed business at No. S4 Chestnut 

 Street, then No. 07, removing finally to the present situation. 

 No. $'2-2 Market Street. 



While a florist Mr. Buist introduced a number of 



