To NntPKinMF.N. — Attontion is called to the advortisemeiit of O, B. Chcyncy, of an old 

 established nursery for sale, which wo are assured oilers a L'ood opportunity for an invest- 

 ment. 



Boston, IGth of December, 1850. 



J. J. Smith, Esq., Pliila. — Dear Siu : I have just had the pleasure to receive the last 

 number of the Horticulturist — a pleasure and privilege I have enjoyed monthly, from its 

 commencement in July, 3846, and I take the liberty of an old subscriber to ask your atten- 

 tion to a want which is already seriously felt, viz : a general index to the past volumes. A 

 work so eminently practical, and containing such a vast amount of valuable information, 

 becomes a book of reference, and there are few books in my own library so much used in 

 this way. I am sure not a week passed, in the last year, in which I have not had occasion 

 to look over the ten indexes of the first ten volumes. This labor becomes ai)palling in 

 prospect of the success which seems to be attending your able conduct of the work, and 

 which guarantees a long continuance of my monthly enjoyment. I find that this feeling 

 is common to many of my friends, and am induced to believe that a general index of the 

 first ten volumes would meet with a very ready sale, at a remunerative price. A periodical 

 index at the close of each ten volumes, would give a permanent character and value to the 

 journal, as if it were an elaliorated treatise which would be otherwise incompatible with its 

 jieriodical and descriptive form. As the labor would be of collation only, it would not 

 require much of either time or skill. I shall be glad to hear if the plan meets with your 

 approval, for, if there is a probability of receiving such an addition, I shall wait for it, to 

 bind in with my eleventh volume. 



Excuse this freedom, but my acquaintance with its founder gives me an alFection for his 

 work ; and, when I find you drawing on the resources of my friends, Sargent and Liirman, 

 I do not feel that you are altogether a stranger. Very truly yours, J. J. D. 



[We are much obliged for the suggestion, but scarcely think it would at present pay 

 the expense necessary to be incurred. A general index, however, may some time be both 

 convenient and necessary, and if we hear of a sufficient demand, shall be forthwith made. 

 —Ed.] 



<• Iowa City, Dec. 28, 1856. 



Deak J : h)wa City contains about six thousand inhabitants, and six churches, and 



three public schools (now building.) The capitol is "bird's-eye" stone, and was built some 

 fifteen years ago. The weather, at present, is a mixture of rain, snow, <Sic. In some places, 

 the land is very good ; timber is very scarce — wood being five dollars per cord ! In Septem- 

 ber, the wild plums are ripe, and crab-apples and grapes ; the plums grow wild all over the 

 country ; there are no chestnuts* here, but plenty of hazel-nuts. Fruit is very scarce out 

 here. I have not seen a peach since I have been in Iowa. Apples are selling at five dollars 

 per barrel. This is a great place for game ; there are prairie chickens, quails, turkeys, deer, 

 elks, bears, &c. You must not believe all you read in the papers ; the speculators praise 

 up their land in this way. Yours, truly, Egbert Hicks White. 



f 0rtituUursl <^0tittits. 



Pexnsyi.vaxia Hokticultural Society. — The following gentlemen have been elected officers 

 for the ensuing year: Pre.tidevi — Gen. Rohekt Patteksox. Vice-Pra^idcnts — James Duxdas, 

 E. W. Keyser, Robert Bcist, B. A. Faunestock. Treasurer — John Thomas. Corresponding 

 Secretary — Thomas C. Percival. Recording Secretary — Thomas P. James. Professor of 

 Entomohjy — Samuel S. Haldeman, A. M. Professor of Botany — William Darlington, ' 

 Professor of Horticultural Chemistry — Robert Hare, M. D. 



