CHAPTER XXIV 

 INFLUENCE OF HORTICULTURE 



THE multiplication of horticultural societies is taking 

 place so rapidly of late, in various parts of the 

 country, as to lead one to reflect somewhat on their 

 influence, and that of the art they foster, upon the character 

 of our people. 



Most persons, no doubt, look upon them as performing a 

 work of some usefulness and elegance, by promoting the 

 culture of fruits and flowers, and introducing to all parts of 

 the country the finer species of vegetable productions. In 

 other words, they are thought to add very considerably to 

 the amount of physical gratifications which every American 

 citizen endeavors, and has a right to endeavor, to assemble 

 around him. 



Granting all the foregoing, we arc inclined to claim also, 

 for horticultural pursuits, a political and moral influence 

 vastly more significant and important than the mere grati- 

 fication of the senses. We think, then, in a few words, that 

 horticulture and its kindred arts, tend strongly to fix the 

 habits, and elevate the character, of our whole rural popu- 

 lation. 



One does not need to be much of a philosopher to remark 

 that one of the most striking of our national traits, is the 

 spirit of unrest. It is the grand energetic element which 

 leads us to clear vast forests, and settle new states, with a 

 rapidity unparalleled in the world's history; the spirit, 

 possessed with which, our yet comparatively scanty people 

 do not find elbow-room enough in a territory already in 

 their possession, and vast enough to hold the greatest of 

 ancient empires; which drives the emigrant's wagon across 

 vast sandy deserts to California, and over Rocky Moun- 

 tains to Oregon and the Pacific; which builds up a great 



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