PROSPECTS OF GARDENERS IN THE UNITED STATES. 



CONDITION AND PROSPECTS OF GARDENERS IN THE U. STATES. 



BY THOMAS MEEHAN, PHILADELPHIA. 



I have often been struck, Mr. Editor, by the accuracy and truthfulness with which the 

 predictions of the late J. C. Loudon, with regard to the progress of horticulture in Ame- 

 rica, are daily becoming verified. In his time, he found that in " all the more difficult 

 operations of the art, every man was his own gardener" — but he thought that " as a 

 number of professional gardeners had of late emigrated from Britain, and horticultural 

 societies were about to be established, the science of gardening would soon be disseminat- 

 ed every where." Mr. Loudon was also of opinion that horticulture would never be car- 

 ried on by individuals in America, to the grand and magnificent extent that it is in Eng- 

 land; but that it would have a greater number of patrons, a wider field for its operations, 

 and be a means of greater enjoyment to its inhabitants, than to those of any country on 

 the globe. We have only to look at gardening then, and merely glance at it now, in order 

 to be convinced of the justice of this view. Gardening is progressing, and gardeners are 

 more prosperous; but both can be made more so by a little consideration. 



A few days ago, one of our city papers, " The Public Ledger," in speaking of the 

 commercial progress and prospects of Philadelphia, came down like a thunderbolt on a sect 

 of philosophers which it calls " waiters on Providence," whose creed teaches that every- 

 thing in this world must " bide its time," and that nothing can be forced beyond the des- 

 tiny of nature. Now I do not believe that such a sect exists among gardeners, for we all 

 know too well that unless we put our crops in the ground at the proper season, or our 

 fires on our forcing houses, not the firmest faith jn the "wait on Providence" doc- 

 trine, will aid us. We are all practically acquainted with the truth of ^Esop's fable of 

 Hercules and the Wagoner, and know how the weight of all our results must bear on our 

 own shoulders. Notwithstanding all this, we depend too much on the course of events for 

 the advancement of the interests of our profession. 



I am one of those men, Mr. Editor, who are somewhat selfish. It was my misfortune 

 to be taught by the village schoolmaster, that " number one was the first law of nature." 

 I strive, and have ever strove, to advance the interests of gardeners and of gardening; but 

 I do not, nor have I ever done so, from any mere feeling of philanthropy, but from a firm 

 faith in the belief that, by furthering the interests of gardening, I am contributing to my 

 own. It was doubtless the same consideration which prompted the English government to 

 adopt Rowland Hill's suggestion of penny postage on letters. It was not merely be- 

 cause it was contributing to the convenience and consequent happiness of its subjects, but 

 because, by increasing the circle of its postal patrons, it was evidently increasing its own 

 revenue. It is not an incumbent duty — at any rate it is not general for the followers of 

 any profession, to inquire whether their profession is to the increase of the pleasures or 

 happiness of mankind, or not, — but gardeners have the advantage of knowing, when- 

 ever that question does arise, " that the garden is the purest of all human pleasures," 

 and that no profession under heaven affords such abundant material for looking from " na- 

 ture up to nature's God." While, therefore, they aim at the increase of their patrons — 

 while they strive by every means in their power, to diffuse a love of nature as displayed 

 in gardening, and while, by their untiring endeavors, gardening is flourishing and prosper- 

 ous, they have the advantage of knowing, in the language of Lindlet, that they ar 

 tributing to " the augmentation of the luxuries and comforts, and the diminution 



No. v. 2. ~~ 



