MR. DOWNING AND THE HORTICULTURIST. 



was an excellent swimmer, he must have been borne down by the crowd, or perished 

 in the attempt to save another's life. 



We unite with his personal friends, and the many who are endeared to him by that 

 charm which his writings breathed, in tendering our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Down- 

 ing. We too can mourn that a great mind has been removed from our companion- 

 ship, — that a noble heart has ceased to beat, — that a life rejoicing in such beauty and 

 promise, has gone out thus early. 



This sad event has thrown new duties and responsibilities upon us, which we shall 

 endeavor faithfully to discharge. The taste for rural art which has already sprung up, 

 the growing interest in Horticulture and Floriculture which is manifested on every 

 band, demand the continuance of a publication like the Horticulturist. That spirit 

 of improvement which the well directed energies of our friend was just awakening into 

 life, must not be suffered to die. Fortunately, the position which the Horticulturist 

 has occupied is so well defined, and its past volumes are so replete with value, that we 

 are not left without a guide as to our future course. We leave it for our readers to 

 say how well the expectations held out in the very commencement of the work, have 

 been realised ; still it may not be inappropriate to refer to its general design and pur- 

 pose, as expressed in the following language of Mr. Downing : 



" In its pages, from month to month, we trated. The humblest cottage garden, as well 



shall give them a collection of all that can most as the most extended pleasure grounds, will 



interest those whose feelings are firmly rooted occupy the attention of the pens in our service. 



in the soil, and its kindred avocations. The Beautiful flowers shall picture themselves in 



garden and the orchard; the hot-house and the our columns, till even our sterner utilitarians 



conservatory ; the park and the pleasure grounds; shall be tempted to admire and cultivate them; 



all, if we can read them rightly, shall be made and the honeyed, juicy gifts of Pomona shall 



to preach useful lessons in our pagi's. All fruit- be treated of till every one who reads shall dis- 



ful and luxuriant grounds shall we revel in, cover that the most delicious products of our 



and delight to honor. Blooming trees, and soil are no longer forbidden fruits. Whatever 



fruitful vines, we shall open our lips to praise, our own feeble efforts can achieve, whatever our 



And if , nature has been over-partial to any one more intelligent correspondents can accomplish, 



part of theglobe, either ingood gardens, fair flow- shall be done to render worthy this monthly 



ers, or good fruits, — if she has any where lavish- record of the progress of horticulture and its 



ed secret vegetable treasures that our cultiva- kindred pursuits. If it is a laudable ambition 



tors have not yet made prizes of, we promise to ' make two blades of grass grow where only 



our readers to watch closely, and to give a faith- one grew before,' we shall hope for the encour- 



ful account of them. Skilful cultivators promise agement and assistance and sympathy of all 



to make these sheets the repository of their those who would see our vast territory made 



knowledge. Sound practice, and ingenious smiling with gardens, and rich in all that makes 



theory will be continually developed and illus- one's country worth living and dying for.' 



To carry out the intention here expressed, to so prosecute the work as to urge for- 

 ward with steadiness of purpose and earnest effort, the impulses which our friend had 

 roused to a good degree of activity, is our aim. The impetus, which, in all its branch- 

 es. Horticulture has received, has made the demand for more ample information in the 

 details of its successful prosecution, commensurate with its importance. That which, 

 five years ago, would have been needlessly obtrusive, has now become a necessity, such 

 has been the progress in the art of gardening. An increased attention to detail in the 

 practical manipulations of the flower and kitchen garden, is called for, and may, we 

 be combined with the more artistic and scientific branches of rural taste 

 are well aware that we shall labor under disadvantages — that he who was 



