DOMESTIC NOTICES. 



4 So 



in those branches of science, will enable us to de- 

 termine what those elements are. and how to ap- 

 ply them ; so that, when the necessity arises, we 

 mav, perhaps, be able to feed and fatten, as it 

 ■were, our vefretables as we do our cattle. But, at 

 the present, our vefietable family does not seem to 

 require the especial attention of associated eflbrt ; 

 and some of our members would, probably, be in- 

 clined to deride an otfer of a general premium list 

 for vegetables, as being nearly as supererogatory as 

 offering a reward for spontaneous productions. 

 Among such productions, there would seem to be 

 no demand for a horticultural society ; as such in- 

 stitutions thrive most vigorously where nature is 

 the most reluctant. Amid the polders of Flanders, 

 the highlands of Scotland, or the bleak coasts of 

 Massachusetts, we have conspicuous examples. 



" There are subjects enough, however, even in 

 this prolific country, to occupy our attention, de- 

 manding investigation and experiment, and worthy 

 of discussion. Highly favored as we are, yet we 

 are not sufficiently so to be afforded any excuse for 

 indolence. Horticulture, in its highest sense, de- 

 mands more knowledge than simple agriculture. 

 We have to deal with a greater variety of objects 

 and elements, and in a more minute degree ; and 

 it would be reprehensible in us to remain behihid 

 the great improvements, and ignorant of the won- 

 derful discoveries, which are exciting the attention 

 of the world. There are good reasons, therefore, 

 for both mental and physical industry. Fruits will 

 not urow spontaneously, or without care. And if 

 there are those who are of a contrary opinion, and. 

 carelessly thrusting their trees in the ground, think 

 thev have nothing more to do but to pluck their 

 fruit, as it ripens, they will return from their con- 

 templated harvest some day, convinced of their 

 mistake. They will find their apple trees and 

 quinces cankered and bored — their pear trees blight- 

 ed — their heart cherries all dead — their peaeh trees 

 eaten by worms — their plums, apricots and necta- 

 rines all fallen before they were ripe — their goose- 

 berries mildewed — their grapes rotted on the vine. 

 Then they will wonder what can be the causes, and 

 ■what the preventives, of all these disastrous results ; 

 and will, perhaps, inquire, whether they know any- 

 thing about them up at the horticultural society ? 

 And such inquiries it is proper for us to be prepared 

 to answer. We should prosecute our experiments 

 and investigations, and continue our discussions, 

 until we are thus prepared. Let the experiments 

 g& on in the field, and discussion at our monthly 

 meetings. Let us aim at the highest degree of 

 perfection. Discarding and uprooting all the mean- 

 er sorts, let us have none but the best. Let us cull 

 the old orchards, plant new ones, plant vineyards, 

 make wine, and adorn our gardens and lawns with 

 the noblest products of the forest, and with the 

 choicest shrubbery and flowers ; so that it may be 

 said of us, as of Pomona, 



' None tauplit the trees a nobler race to bear. 

 Or more improved the vegetable care' 



'* We have not to look to the old world, nor to 

 the older states, exclusively. Some of the products 

 of our own woods and prairies are among their fa- 

 vorite objects of domeslic culture. The best wine 



grapes, for American cultivation, it seems likely to 

 be acknowledged, are derived from the native wilds 

 of our country. Some favorite plums, always re- 

 sisting the curculio, and always full bearers, are 

 also indigenous here. We live upon the borders of 

 vast botanical fields, yet almost unexplored. It 

 may be ours, therefore, to discover and introduce 

 new and valuable sort:-. New and superior varie- 

 ties will continue to come into existence bj' hybri- 

 dizing and planting. And we shall ultimately set- 

 tle upon ample varieties that are best suited to our 

 soil and climate. A list of these varieties ought to 

 be commenced by our fruit committee, and enlarued 

 as experience may justify. And individuals should 

 be invited to bring to our notice any new fruit of 

 respectable '(uality, found springing from seed ca- 

 sually dropped, or discovered in the forests. 



"Thus carrying forward our action into all the 

 various ramifications of horticultural art> we shall 

 be most acceptably and usefully fulfilling the object 

 of our institution. We shall see, gradually, a new 

 and more rerined taste excited, which shall have an 

 ameliorating and domesticating effect upon the 

 hearts of those who imbibe it ; exhibiting itself in 

 attachment to contented homes und moral habits ; 

 in discrimination between beautiful plants and ordi- 

 nary weeds ; between choice fruit and the meaner 

 sorts ; betv\ een ugly shade trees, and those of beau- 

 tiful forms and cleanly habits ; between dwellings 

 of mere bricks and mortar, bleak and desolate, and 

 those which show at once, by their sites and their 

 embellishments, that they are the abodes of the re- 

 fined and the happy. We shall thus contribute to 

 the ultimate beauty, health and happiness of our 

 city, by encouraging the reservation of public 

 squares, and the planting of suitable trees for shade 

 and ornament ; by improving the markets ; by in- 

 ducing a taste for rural architecture and decoration 

 in the suburbs ; and even the public cemeteries, in- 

 stead of being merely the cold, repulsive and desert- 

 ed abodes of the den d. shall invite us to their > paths 

 of pleasantness and peace,' where sweet memories 

 of the departed shall l)e mingled with the songs of 

 birds and the perfumes of flowers. 



" In these agreeable pursuits, lending our small 

 contributions to promote the general happiness, we 

 are also working out for ourselves the reward of con- 

 tented homes, serene tempers, healthy bodies, long 

 lives, and public respect. We are moored in that 

 haven to which all men, at one time or other of 

 their lives, seem instinctively to long for, and to 

 which warriors and politicians, satiated with ho- 

 nors, and professional men and merchants, cloyed 

 with wealth, or tired and sick of more bu.sy scenes, 

 would all fain retire. Let us, therefore, not only 

 be contented, but glory in that mode of life, which 

 has been 'the inclination of kings and the choice of 

 philosophers,' and rejoice, that ours is that 



' place, 

 Chosen by the .Sov'reipn Planter, when he fram'd 

 All things for Man's deligliuul use.' " 



The Pear Blight at Albany. — In your com- 

 ments on my letter, in the last Horticulturist, treat- 

 ing of the pear tree blight, you refer me to Dr. Har- 

 ris' article on insect-blight, to enable me more ac- 

 curately to judge how far insects must be held ac- 



