THE EDITOR TO THE READER. 



growth and prosperity of the country; it continues to multiply, and the greatly 

 increased and increasing numbers of the readers of this periodical is the evidence. 



The duties of the late publisher have called him from the exact niche which 

 would enable him to devote the time and thought necessary to the circulation of a 

 periodical widely spread and esteemed over the Union, from Texas to Maine, and 

 from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Where shall the work be localised, was the 

 question among its friends, and where seek for an editor to supply the consequent 

 resignation of Mr. Barry, whose most able management is now forbidden by 

 commercial engagements. Philadelphia, the geographical and climatic, as well 

 as the horticultural centre of the Union, was believed to be the most desirable 

 point of issue, and it was further decided in a council of the well-wishers of the 

 work, that most of the qualifications of information and practical knowledge could 

 be found in the correspondents of the journal, and in a city which first formed and 

 still continues a most useful Horticultural Society, and where is contained a corps 

 of enthusiastic lovers of niral adornment and botanical science ; a centre, in fact, 

 where Downing' s parish was much enlarged — accessible to all travellers from 

 North, South, East and West — where contributors and facts were numerous, and 

 varied illustrations could be commanded — central also for correspondence and for 

 distribution. 



Thus far all seemed smooth, but for editing and controlling the printed contents, 

 a selection was thought to be more difl&cult, till at length the expedient of a com- 

 bination of qualified contributors was suggested. 



It is that combination which the controlling editor, with many misgivings, has 

 undertaken to assist in canying out. With the aid of a number of veteran Bota- 

 nists, Pomologists and Horticulturists, and with eveiy wish on our own part to be 

 the medium of information to our countrymen, and thus to extend the list of those 

 who are doing so much to form a national taste essential to the nation's character, 

 we have come before the public to perform what is in our power, and to conduct 

 the Horticulturist in an American and national spirit ; to make it the vehicle of 

 no personal ambitious, the mouth-piece of no clique. Our object is to impart 

 knowledge and taste through the means of the best informed correspondents, 

 and the most able and practical writers of the age of every country where rural 

 aff'airs have become a fine art, and by the devotion of our time and some little 

 experience, united to an overshadowing love of the subject, to render the Horticul- 

 turist, if possible, at least as acceptable a visitor to its numerous patrons as here- 

 tofore it has been. For success we rely most on our contributors, old and new; and 

 with this avowal, we invite their aid and co-operation, for without them we are 

 entirely sensible we must fail — with them, success, we feel assured, is certain. 



Possibly there may be a few of this our newly settled parish, who will not object 

 once more to meet in consultation an old friend in his newer studies, the editor of 

 "Waldie's Select Circulating Librai-y.'^ 



