192 TBANSACTIONS OF THE HOETICULTUEAL 



early biblical histories frequent mention is made of gardens and 

 vineyards. Some how or other, the most of us have been taught 

 that the famous tree of knowledge in the center of Eden was an 

 apple tree, though just why, or upon what authority, it is not easy to 

 say. That " apples of gold in pictures of silver " may mean oranges 

 in a silver fruit-basket — the latter the frame rather than the '' pic- 

 ture" — is much more probable. 



The Romans certainly were good horticulturists for their time, 

 and to them we owe our name as specialists. They were acquainted 

 with the processes of grafting, and Pliny says that certain individu- 

 als among them had rendered their names immortal for the improved 

 kinds of fruits they introduced. But alas ! for the immortal names. 

 Neither the fruits nor the names are known to us. The triumphal 

 gala days of old Rome were triumphal flower days, too. Arches 

 were covered with them. The very streets were brilliant and fra- 

 grant with roses beneath the tread of the conquering heroes and 

 their soldiers' trophies. Cleopatra covered her floors with flowers in 

 preparation for her memorable reception at the old Roman capital. 



These are but hints at the existence of horticultural instincts, 

 tastes and practices in olden times. As men and nations rose from 

 the rude condition of barbarism in all quarters of the inhabitable 

 world, this art that doth mend nature also existed and flourished to a 

 greater or less extent, as though gardening and civilization were in 

 some way mutually joined and conditioned. Horticulturists are 

 known only among civilized people; civilized peoples have always 

 practiced horticultural arts. It cannot be said that they who best 

 succeed in growing cabbages, grapes or geraniums are by that sign 

 in the front rank of enlightenment in general; but as a broad prop- 

 osition, applicable in a very general sense, we may confidently say 

 that degrees of civilization and prosperous horticulture go hand in 

 hand everywhere and always among the nations of the earth. Suc- 

 cessful horticulture requires intelligence and industry, while the 

 practice of the art from the love of it tends to develop the brain and 

 heart of the worker. His eyes are quickened for observation, his 

 judgment exercised by careful comparison and classification, and his 

 ethical nature strengthened and refined by contact with the beauti- 

 ful and the unsullied purity of the living forms which he cherishes 

 as precious gifts from realms where sin and sorrow never come. 

 Horticulture both demands and begets intelligence and law-abiding, 

 peace-loving, hope-inspiring habits of life. 



But notwithstanding the foregoing, horticulture, as at present 

 understood, is a modern art. Except professional gardeners (mostly 

 florists) and viticulturisls there never were horticulturists as spec- 

 ialists until almost within our own memories. Fruits were prized 

 and cultivated by the farmer and husbandman, and gathered in the 

 wilds, for home use. If any were marketed it was as a secondary 

 and almost a chance source of income. City people took it as an 



