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51 3niininl nf %\\m[ 51rt nnii llnral Cnstr, 



THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OF AMERICAN HORTICULTURE. 



The new position we find ourselves most unexpectedly placed in as conductor of this 

 journal, has naturally induced more than ordinary reflection, not only on the existing 

 state, but on the future prospects of American Horticulture; and it has occurred to 

 us that it might be well to note here, as a starting point, the impressions which this 

 reflection has suggested. 



In taking a survey of the existing state of horticulture, the first thing that strikes 

 us as noteworthy is, that Pomology — the study and culture of fruits — has advanced 

 far beyond other branches of the art; and that in many respects it has already 

 reached an importance here quite equalling if not surpassing what it has ever yet 

 assumed in the oldest and most highly cultivated countries of the old world. This 

 is what might have been naturally expected, for fruit culture is par excellence the 

 useful of horticulture ; and among a people so practical, so industrious, energetic, 

 and money-making as ours, the useful, or that which offers an immediate and sub- 

 stantial remuneration, will always be in advance of the ornamental, or that which 

 has more especially for its object the promotion of comfort and the gratification of 

 taste. That very many have embarked in fruit culture to supply their own wants 

 and gratify their own tastes, we do not of course deny; but what gives special 

 prominence and importance to this branch of industry, and has latterly given such an 

 extraordinary impetus to its development, is its commercial aspect — the planting of 

 orchards for the production of fruit for markets. East and west, north and south, 

 orchards are being planted on so extensive a scale as to seem entirely chimerical but 

 for our vast extent of country, and an immense population, increasing in a ratio which 

 no foresight can calculate. This has given a corresponding impetus to the culture of 

 nursery trees, and converted this within a few years from an almost unnoticed pursuit 

 into what is very justly regarded as a great interest, in which a large amount of cap- 

 ital is invested and labor emjjloyed. There is perhaps no way in which we can so 

 accurately estimate the number of fruit trees planted annually in this country, as to 

 glance over the nurseries. The advertising pages of this and other kindred journals 

 display at times a most imposing list ; but what are these to the thousand other estab- 

 lishments throughout the country that do not resort to advertising as a means of 

 making sales. We think we might safely say that at one point alone, in the vicinity 



January 1, 1853. 



Ko. I. 



