128 



THE GARDENER'S MONTHLY. 



[April, 



and simplicity of character. From a few acres 

 he developed a business of many thousands, 

 selecting climates to suit each product. But we 

 do not dwell especially or only on his successes, 

 which were world-wide ; rather would we draw 

 a picture of his mild government of great enter- 

 prises for the good of his country, which have 

 benefited thousands. We are happy to say 

 that his influence, co-extensive with the onward 

 in our American history, will not stop by rea- 

 son of his lamented demise ; he has left sons, 

 who in all respects have benefited by the wise 

 counsels of their excellent father. When the 

 best person was wanted to superintend and man- 

 age the great interests of the agricultural de- 

 partment of the National Exhibition, the office 

 sought naturally his son, Burnet. 



At the time of his decease, and for some pre- 

 vious years, his firm, under his directions, was 

 engaged in a most interesting enterprise to 

 which we desire to give prominence. It is gen- 

 erally lamented that useful trees and even for- 

 ests are disappearing from the surface of Ameri- 

 can lands, till danger exists, that like Spain, our 

 country will be so far denuded as materially to 

 deface it, and destroy its future abundance. Mr. 

 Landreth, with forseeing knowledge, observed 

 this prospect increase •, but it was of no use to 

 argue the point with lumbermen, who take no 

 thought of the future. He reasoned thus : 

 IsTothing will stop this desecration but by show- 

 ing that to plant is to make money, if not imme- 

 diately, in so near a future that the children of 

 the living may greatly profit by the labors of 

 the fathers. With this ascertained, a percentage 

 of the population will be induced by the pleasure 

 that comes to the planter, and by the prospect of 

 reaping much of what he has sown, to plant exten- 

 sively. To do this successfully, easy access and 

 transportation are requisites. With patriotic 

 intentions, no sooner was this thought-out thor- 

 oughly than large tracts of land in Virginia, 

 •on its navigable rivers, were purchased at sur- 

 prisingly low prices, and the work was begun 

 some years ago. Nuts and seeds were purchased 

 in vast quantities ; the ground, where worn out, 

 was resuscitated by fish and other manures found 

 ready at hand. A forester was selected, and Vir- 

 ginia is now growing wood for useful purposes on 

 a scale little known to many inhabitants of the 

 State. Formerly — we give it as one instance — 

 Walnut wood was found in sufficient supply in 

 most of the Northern States, but fashion soon de- 

 manded more. Next, the banks of the Ohio were 



exhausted, till now the coveted wood is trans- 

 ported to the East from beyond the Mississippi at 

 great cost, for houses and many other uses. So 

 with most of the useful and ornamental woods. 

 The ties of railroad foundations soon exhaust a 

 State of particular woods ; house and car builders 

 and a thousand others are daily hacking away 

 our beautiful surroundings. It is stated that the 

 Pine tree, Pinus strobus, is already barely found 

 in sufficiently accessible quantity to feed even the 

 maw of the lucifer match maker ; furniture re- 

 quires a never-ceasing supply. Mr. Landreth's 

 foresight will assist, only partially, it is true, to 

 remedy all this •, but his example will induce in- 

 creased planting. For this he deserves and will 

 receive the thanks of his countrymen. But his 

 example is valuable in the fact that his large 

 means were used without ostentation. He val- 

 ued the best, and lived on the product of his 

 knowledge of what all should seek — the whole- 

 some and good. His hospitable table, to which 

 he welcomed the governing minds of his coun- 

 try, was an example of refinement and elegance. 



It may truly be said that the world is better for 

 Mr. Landreth's life. Sincerely his departure is 

 regretted. Long will his example be found 

 useful and worthy of following. '■' Requiescat in 

 pace.'''' 



Alexander Burnett. — Among the deaths of 

 the month we regret to record that of Mr. Alex. 

 Burnett, the well-known florist of Reading, Pa., 

 which occurred on the second of March, of can- 

 cer in the throat, in his 65th year. Mr. B. was 

 for many years head gardener to H. Pratt Mc- 

 Kean, Esq. , one of the best situations about Phila- 

 delphia. At Reading he had charge of the Chas. 

 Evan's Cemetery, as well as being in the Flor- 

 ist business. His thorough knowledge of Hor- 

 ticulture, and courteous manners made him well 

 known and influential in horticultural affairs 

 about Reading, and he will be greatly missed in 

 that community. 



Jacob Stauffer. — Our well known and 

 highly esteemed correspondent, Jacob Stauffer, 

 of Lancaster, Pa., died on the 22d of March, in 

 his 72d year. As artist, botanist, engraver, pho- 

 tographer, printer, soldier, civil public servant, 

 editor, — his self-made career has been as re- 

 markable as it has been an honorable one ; and 

 one which has exercised a wonderful influence 

 on the young in the community in which he 

 lived. Few have passed away of late who will 

 be more lovingly remembered, even in remote 

 corners of the world than Jacob Stauffer. 



