probably, provided under other auspices. Of the propriety of this step, many of 

 your former and present members were and are convinced. It might be simple 

 in its arrangements, at first, while it was at the same time eminently neat and 

 clean. Yery soon, it would have presented to it the duplicate specimens abound- 

 ing in fine gardens and conservatories, and an emulation would grow up there as 

 completely as it has grown up at your annual fairs. An example of landscape 

 gardening thus created, would not be without its effects on the public mind, to 

 say nothing of its usefulness in promoting a taste for gardening that ivould create 

 a fourfold demand for the products of the practical gardener. 



I would ask, again, if there are not topics for public teaching that come under 

 your special mission ? Many could be named, but my letter is becoming a long 

 one, and must be concluded. The agricultural societies give exhibitions of farm- 

 ing implements, and are very successful at their fairs — far more so than the horti- 

 cultural societies, and I must add, however reluctantly, they are more useful. Now 

 there is, among other matters, the construction of heaters for greenhouses and 

 graperies. Have you, or any horticultural society, ever offered a premium for the 

 best and most economical structure of this kind ? It is of universal interest to 

 the gardening world, and I should be most happy to hear your awards on this 

 and other new topics. 



Having made these suggestions in a spirit of admiration for what you have 

 already accomplished, and in language which, I trust, the Editor of the Horticid- 

 turist will not condemn, and wishing your particular society every kind of pros- 

 perity, I am, Mr. President, and the members of the Horticultural So- 

 ciety, most respectfully, 



Your obedient servant, Yiator. 



[Yiator has hit upon a most important topic, and, we trust, the particular So- 

 cieties to which it is addressed, as well as others throughout our broad land, will 

 take it into serious consideration. The Society which first establishes a model 

 garden in this country, will live in history. — Ed.] 



SALE OF THE SPRIXGBROOK (MR. COPE'S) 

 COLLECTION. 



A GOODLY company attended this, the largest sale we remember in the neighbor- 

 hood of Philadelphia, both for extent and variety. The bidding opened quite s])irit- 

 edly, and we soon found that our distant friends were here, by their proxies, at least, 

 ancl that Baltimore especially was well represented. Many of the finest of the hard- 

 ier greenhouse plants were secured for that region, as much as twenty dollars having 

 been given for some of the fine Indian azaleas. Some of the rare plants were sold 

 at a great sacrifice, considering the size of the specimens, though this was by no 

 means universally the case. A fine plant of Gardenia Stanleyana brought $5 25, the 

 Brownea grandiceps brought $40, and two small plants of the Hand-Shajied Lemon, 

 $5 25 and $6 25. A small Lime-tree sold for $5, and some species of Metrosi- 

 deros at $3 50 to $4. A moderate specimen of Rhododendron Gibsonii, $9, and 

 some large specimens of R. arboreura at prices averaging $25. An European 

 Olive (six feet high), $6, and a sweet one (0. fragrans), same height, $18. Eugenia 

 ugni, the new and rare fruit, for $2 ; a handsome E. myrtifolia, $10. Cycas revo- 

 luta (three feet high), $25. Large Oranges and Lemons, $20 to $42. A very 

 Strelitzia regime, $1 9. Fine specimens of yellow and white Banksian R 

 and $10. A beautiful specimen of the Camphor-tree, $16. The Cam 



