THE SEED BUSINESS IN PHILADELPHIA. 



paper envelopes is a large and separate business, employing many hands. Mr. Lax 

 DRETH and his agents supply gratuitously to their customers, an almanac, with a 

 description of the mode of cultivating each seed, and a calendar of operations for the 

 garden and greenhouse, which no young gardener or inexperienced amateur should 

 be without. 



I have said enough to indicate the importance and value of this apparently simple 

 business ; it is one, however, requiring the greatest intelligence, and the largest com- 

 mercial experience, united with the strictest integi-ity. It has fallen into good hands 

 — no better, we venture to say, will ever wield an engine so fraught with good to the 

 human species ; integrity indeed must be the first element of success in such a com- 

 merce. America is full of elements of similar success ; for it is evident that in so 

 large, so intelligent, and such an increasing population, whoever chooses, by industry, 

 integrity, and the application of the highest intelligence, to interest a liberal public in 

 his particular line of business, if he carry it on with the same untiring diligence as Mr. 

 Landreth has done, will insure the same result. "We will not stop to discriminate 

 between the usefulness, the nohility, of such a pursuit as we have been endeavor- 

 ing to describe, and that of the vender of quackery, under whatever guise. Other 

 gentlemen have also an enviable reputation in the same line of business, but we 

 must be allowed to state that none other has laid his foundation for success so broad 

 and deep. 



The writer is indebted for these reminiscences to his own recollections and observa- 

 tions. He was one of a fortunate few who lately had the pleasure to pass a day on 

 the Landreth domain in company with the "Agricultural Club," an association of 

 twelve gentlemen who meet at each other's farms alternately, to see improvements 

 and converse on subjects connected with husbandry, — a plan highly useful, and to be 

 commended for imitation in every neighborhood for its manifest advantages. The 

 day was one of the most genial and agreeable of the season, and of unmingled enjoy- 

 ment ; of enjoyment, too, to the host, far surpassing any which the most successful 

 conqueror can boast, who turns the land into fields of blood instead of fields of plenty. 



The first fruits of the Japan Expedition have lately been received by Mr. Landreth, 

 consisting of a box of seeds sent him by Commodore Perry in return for a similar 

 present forwarded by Mr. L. to the Japanese. From this box what "value received" 

 may we not hope for ? 



Mr. L. is surrounded by a most amiable family ; and it is not beyond the sphere of 

 this brief chronicle to congratulate the public that worthy successors to his business 

 are provided for the future. 



Bloomsdale offers a faature of great interest to the lover of his own species. The 

 farm hands are accommodated with pleasant cottages on the premises, and form 

 among themselves a social circle for improvement in reading and for proper amuse- 

 ment, from which the Fourierites may take a lesson. The proprietor uses every means 

 in his power to promote their welfare, and the little community, bound together by 

 ties of mutual interest, may challenge competition with any "model" attempted 

 called " reformers." Duties cheerfully performed, make happy faces ; and we 



