THE TASTE FOR PLANTING. 



Abroad, it is clearly seen, that the taste has descended from the palace of the noble, 

 and the public parks and gardens of the nation, to the hut of the simple peasant ; but 

 here, while our institutions have wisely prevented the perpetuation of accumulated es- 

 tates, that would speedily find their expression in all the luxury of rural taste, we have 

 not yet risen to that general diffusion of culture and competence which may one day 

 give to the many, what in the old world belongs mainly to the favored few. In some 

 localities, where that point has in some measure been arrived at already, the result that 

 we anticipate, has in a good degree, already been attained. And there are, probably, 

 more pretty rural homes within ten miles of Boston, owned by those who live in them, 

 and have made them, than ever sprung up in so short a space of time, in any part of 

 the world. The taste once formed there, it has become contagious, and is diffusing 

 itself among all conditions of men, and gradually elevating and making beautiful, the 

 whole neighborhood of that populous city. 



In the country at large, however, even now, there cannot be said to be anything 

 like a general taste for gardening, or for embellishing the houses of the people. We 

 are too much occupied with making a great deal, to have reached that point when 

 a man or a people thinks it wiser to understand how to enjoy a little well, than to ex- 

 haust both mind and body in getting an indefinite mo7-e. And there are also many who 

 would gladly do something to give a sentiment to their houses, but are ignorant both 

 of the materials and the way to set about it. Accordingly, they plant odoro2is Ailan- 

 thuses and filthy poplars, to the neglect of graceful elms and salubrious maples. 



The influence of commercial gardens on the neighborhood where they are situated, 

 is one of the best proofs of the growth of taste — that our people have no obtuseness 

 of faculty, as to what is beautiful, but only lack information and example to embellish 

 with the heartiest good will. Take Eochester, N. Y.. for instance — which, at the pre- 

 sent moment, has perhaps the largest and most active nurseries in the Union. We are 

 confident that the aggregate planting of fruits and ornamental trees, within fifty miles of 

 Rochester, during the last ten years, has been twice as much as has taken place, in 

 the same time, in any three of the southern states. Philadelphia has long been fa- 

 mous for her exotic gardens, and now even the little yard plats of the city dwellings, 

 ai'e filled with roses, jasmines, Lagestroemias, and the like. Such facts as these plainly 

 prove to us, that only give our people a knowledge of the beauty of fine trees and 

 plants, and the method of cultivating them, and there is no sluggishness or inaptitude 

 on the subject in the public mind. 



In looking about for the readiest method of diffusing a knowledge of beautiful trees 

 and plants, and thereby bettering our homes and our country, several means suggest 

 themselves, which are worthy of attention. 



The first of these is, by ivhat private individuals may do. 



There is scarcely a single fine private garden in the country, which does not possess 

 plants that are perhaps more or less coveted — or would at least be greatly prized by 

 neighbors who do not possess, and perhaps cannot easily procure them. Many own- 

 such places, cheerfully give away to their neighbors, any spare plants that 

 possess ; but the majority decline, for the most part, to give away plants 



