1877.] 



AND HORTICULTURIST. 



221 



wrapped in a shroud of their own flowers. Thus, 

 terminates such a2;ave existence; in fructilication 

 and death. A. vivipara, A. lurida, A. yucesefoUa, 

 and A. flaccida, were the magnates, grandees, 

 and distinguished plant nobles, which composed 

 the Agave assembly. Fourcroya gigantea, 

 was a real Goliath in stature, with F. rigida, as 

 armor-bearer, in front. They each had a stern, 

 time-defying look, as if good for a thousand 

 years. Adjacent, like its illustrious namesake, 

 Buonaparte, stood Buonaparteajuncea; as firm 

 and inflexible, as becomes one with such a 

 name. 



(To be continued.) 



EDITORIAL NOTES. 



Grape Culture in England. — England was 

 at one time Aimous for its vineyards and its 

 wines. The great battle of Hastings, which de- 

 termined the conquest by the Normans, was 

 fought in a vineyard. When France was invaded 

 by England, the superior article of Continental 

 Europe, put down English made "wine, and not 

 any peculiar change of climate. The Marquis 

 of Bute, in Glamorganshire, is now growing 

 grapes as formerly. 



A poet, in the days of Elizabeth, tells us — 



Every man eat in safety, 

 Under his own Vine, wliat he planted; 

 And sang the merry songs of peace 

 To all his neighbours. 



Royal Patronage of Horticulture. — Alluding 

 to the fact that for the first time in many years 

 the exhibition of the Royal Horticultural So- 

 ciety was a great success, an English cotempo- 

 rary, (name lost,) says : — " The Scientific Com- 

 mittee was specially honored — its President, 

 Dr. Hooker, who is also the President of the 

 Royal Society, accompanying the Royal party 

 and explaining the more noteworthy objects ex- 

 hibited. The Queen on leaving, expressed her 

 pleasure at her visit, and we dg not think these 

 were mere words of courtesy, for Her Majesty 

 looked pleased; and undoubtedly the horticul- 

 turists, who yield to no class of Her Majesty's 

 subjects in their loyalty, were delighted to see 

 among them once more their Queen, and to feel 

 that their efforts to diffuse a knowledge of the 

 glories and wonders of creation, and to con- 

 tribute to the material and mental welfare of 

 mankind, are still sanctioned and appreciated 

 as they were in the days when the broad-minded 



Prince Consort had the sagacity to include Hor- 

 ticulture among those arts and sciences which, 

 in the interests of the nation at large, he did so 

 much to promote." 



We copy this for the sentiments it expresses 

 in regard to social leadership in good enter- 

 prises. We are apt to laugh at the idea that the 

 smile or the frown of any one human being 

 should make all the difference between success 

 or failure in a horticultural or any other exposi- 

 tion ; but we must not forget that there is some- 

 thing in the average human mind that longs for 

 a leader. So long as it is satisfied that the lead- 

 er ought or deserves to be in power, it loves to 

 follow. The average of human beings are really 

 too languid to think deeply for themselves about 

 everyday affi\irs, and though they read regularly 

 the news, turn with relief to the "editorial," 

 for the comments on which they ought to be 

 able to have as good ideas for themselves. 



So, in all these good works some one must 

 lead, and it will be to the everlasting honor of 

 Prince Albert that he set this good example. 

 We have no social aristocratic classes here, but 

 everybody acknowledges and worships the aris- 

 tocracy of intelligence, and it does not take long 

 for this to be acknowledged, and for the pos- 

 sessor to be in some sort made to know that he 

 fills this elevated seat in public estimation. 

 When to this is added material power, no false 

 delicacy should prevent its possessor from " lead- 

 ing off." 



Horticulture in America is just now, especi- 

 ally, suffering from the want of leaders among 

 those who worthily possess influence, if they 

 would only use it. 



Letter from Mr. Jacob Moore. — 



"Wichita, Kansas, May 11, 1877. 



"Mr. Editor: — So you don't like the tone of 

 my last communication, on the subject of patent- 

 ing new ])lants. You must remember that there 

 are occasions when it is right and proper to give 

 vent to a righteous indignation, and when it is 

 wrong to gloss over evil-doing with euphemistic 

 ph raises. Such an occasion is presented by the 

 position taken by the editors of many of the 

 principal horticultural and agricultural papers 

 on this subject. Pretending to desire advance- 

 ment in horticulture, thej'^ oppose the very 

 means of making such advancement — by deny- 

 ing the plant originator the right to the legal 

 protection necessary to enable him to secure 

 compensation. Therefore, I have written you 

 and other editors, and I hope not in vain. 



" With regard to the practicability of the pro- 

 tective measures proposed, you will remember 



