2 Introduction. 



they will use their utmost endeavors, to present their readers with- 

 Original Communications on Horticulture, Floriculture, Botany, and 

 Rural Affairs ; — Selections, such as they think will afford useful and 

 valuable information, from forei2;n and domestic works of distinguished 

 reputation, — Miscellaneous Notices, he, — to promote and dissem- 

 inate a taste for the art among all classes of society, and to offer such 

 observations as will direct the attention of those who have not im- 

 partially considered the subject, to its interest, value and importance. 



The very vast improvements which have been made in Hcxticul- 

 ture, within a few years, in this country, are principally owing to the 

 establishment of the various Horticultural Societies throughout many 

 of the States. With their rise and progress, a new impulse was given 

 to those who had engaged in its pleasing pursuits. An interchange 

 of feelings and sentiments infused new zeal, and excited those who 

 had hitherto pursued it rather as a solitary than a social amusement. 

 The spirit of emulation and improvement, caused by the combined 

 efforts of these societies, has produced what years of individual ex- 

 ertion alone could not achieve. An intercourse has been opened, 

 and flattering attentions received, from similar societies in Great 

 Britain and on the Continent ; thus affording facilities for the accu- 

 mulation of important information, a knowledge of the useful produc- 

 tions of all nations, and for the introduction of plants, valuable or 

 ornamental, from all quarters of the globe. 



That the taste for Horticulture has much more rapidly dissemi- 

 nated itself through the public mind, than a corresponding know- 

 ledge of skill necessary for the cultivation and management of its 

 objects, is too apparent to insist upon. The natural love of plants 

 has led to the love of those choice ; from those choice, to those rare, 

 tender exotics have been introduced, which require careful attention, 

 delicate treatment, and the most vigilant skill to insure success in 

 their cultivation. New and choice fruits have been planted in the 

 place of those less deserving of cultivation. Elegant ornamental 

 shrubs have been added to our already extensive stock ; and beau- 

 tiful flowers, tender and hardy, have increased the interest and 

 splendor of the green-house and parlor, during our dreary winters, 

 and added to the enjoyment of the pleasure-garden throughout our 

 brilliant summers. In the construction of buildings and edifices for 

 the reception of exotic plants, more attention is given to the loftiness 

 and elegance of external structure than heretofore; and improvements 

 introduced, in the internal arrangements, by which greater security is 

 given to healthy vegetation, and expenses attending their manage- 

 ment greatly reduced. 



Horticulture, like every art, is founded upon principles which will 

 not admit of its being pursued vyith never-failing success, if a reliance 

 be placed upon theoretical knowledge alone ; nor will assurance from 

 disappointments be secured, if theory be tin-own aside, and practices 

 followed because they once proved true, or may have been attended 



