EDITOR'S TABLE. 



park, -wortli a ship load of gold to the city's licaltli, and an everlasting monnment of its 

 taste and liberality, there "will very soon bo long ranges of brick and inortar, and all 

 barter, barter, money, money. Ah, Now Yorkers I what will posterity say of you ? 



Union and Madison Squares. — What a pity that these little parks should be entirely 

 destitute of evergreens ! IIoav naked, and cheerless, and cold they look at this season. A 

 few Norways and Balsam Firs, and a few masses of Rhododcntbons and !Mahoiiias, would 

 improve their winter aspect amazingly. See to it, you whose proper business it is. 



Flushing, L. I. — The cultm-e of green-house plants is assuming importance here. Some of 

 the most complete houses wo have seen, are those of Messrs. Parsons & Co., constructed 

 under the direction of Mr. Cadness, the head of this department. They are all low, par- 

 tially sunk in the ground, span-roofod, and, with one exception, we believe, heated with 

 brick flues. By an excellent system of hydraulics, every house is furnished with an ample 

 and constant supply of water. One or two of them we regard as models of their kind. 

 English rough plate glass is used in glazing some of them, and so far the results are satis- 

 factory. "We think it offers great advantages for our climate, both in its strength and in 

 its translucent character, softening the light transmitted through it. "We arc glad to note such 

 improvements in the architectural character of commercial plant structures, as we have met 

 with here and elsowliere around New York. It indicates a progress in keeping with the 

 general spiiit of horticultural improvement, and enables us to look upon sheds and caves as 

 among the things that have been. The houses contain a large stock of young plants, in 

 clean, healthy, and vigorous condition, arranged with all the system and taste that could bo 

 expected in a well kept private establishment. We regret that we had no time to make 

 particular notes of what we saw. We were well pleased with our visit, however, as no 

 one can fail to be who foels at all interested in this branch of horticulture. Out of doors 

 we devoted a few moments to a glance at the new and rare evergreens, of which the col- 

 lection is very good. We noted fine specimens of Deodar cedar, Ahies morinda (Himalayan 

 spruce), Doufjlassi (Douglass' spruce), Pinsapo, Cephaloiiica, and Pichta, all doing well. 

 Two rows of Deodars were pointed out to us, intended to form an avenue, and at one point 

 where the gromid was low and moist, the plants suffered and died from last winter's cold ; 

 while on the dry ground they were perfectly safe. This is worth remembering. 



A fine Ivy Wall. — The best Ivy wall we have seen in sometime, was in the nurseries of 

 Mr. Daniel Higgins, near Flushing. The plants were set at the bottom of a dry stone wall 

 some five feet high, and within a few years it has furnished it with an elegant Ivy mantle. 

 Mr. IIiGGiNS has greatly extended the field of his operations within a few years, having 

 met with that success which his industry and perseverance well deserved. lie has now a 

 fine stock of Pawlonias, Ailantus, and other street trees, remarkably well grown. 



Letter from Prof. Turner. — The following letter expresses the feelings of many in all 

 parts of the country, Avho wiU greatly prize the views we have given in this number of the 

 Home of Mr. Downing : 



I have, with a sorrowful pleasure, just opened the last number of the Ilorticidturist, and there 

 seen, for the first time, in very life, the semblance of my departed friend, A. J. Downing. While 

 he was living, I desired to see him more than any other living man, save only the great Kossuxn. 

 But I never had that privilege, though I have been honored with his correspondence for several 

 years past. 



Allow me to thank you for the opportunity of forming some correct idea of the noble countc- 



