162 Notices of some of the Gardens and Nurseries 



the superb specimens of which, at this day, stand unrivalled in any 

 part of the country. 



The second green-house erected, was that by Professor Barton, 

 and is now owned and occupied by George Pepper, Esq. It was in 

 Philadelphia that Pursh made his collection of the American Flora. 

 Other botanists have made this place their residence, and have thus 

 collected together plants from all quarters of the globe. The speci- 

 mens of tropical plants are extremely rich, and embrace some of the 

 largest and finest in the country. 



The flourishing state of floriculture will be quickly perceived on 

 visiting the various establishments in the city and neighborhood. If a 

 great zeal for plants is not so much apparent among their amateurs, 

 as with ours, the desire for plants and flowers appears to be more 

 general, and especially for more choice and rare kinds. The exhi- 

 bitions of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, have been of the 

 highest character, and have also been attended with great success. 

 In their premium list for the coming season, they offer eighty-eight 

 prizes. 



One great obstruction to a richer collection of plants in our green- 

 houses, and to a greater advancement in floriculture in our vicinity, 

 is the general cultivation of a large number of plants, by many indi- 

 viduals, who are not strictly nurserymen or gardeners. These every 

 year, are sold in quantities, at low prices, which materially injures 

 the business of the nurseryman, who makes it his sole pui-pose to 

 propagate and grow plants, as his stock is often left on hand, being 

 unable to compete with gentlemen who only wish to dispose of their 

 plants, to pay the expenses of their green-house through the winter. 

 This evil our friends at the south are free from, and their fine collec- 

 tions and ready sales, give full proof that it is one, which is not only 

 very injurious to the nurseryman and florist, but exceedingly preju- 

 dicial to the progress of Floriculture. 



We cannot refrain from here returning our thanks to the proprie- 

 tors of the various gardens which we visited ; they having, with great 

 kindness, permitted us to make any remarks we might deem proper 

 in relation to them. This we mention more particularly, as we believe 

 some dissatisfaction was found with our remarks on the gardens and 

 nurseries in our vicinity. We shall ever endeavor to pursue one 

 course, and if permitted to mention any place, we shall do it in such a 

 manner, as in our humble judgment we think the appearance of things 

 demands. 



We commence with the gardens, Sic, in Philadelphia and neigh- 

 borhood. 



Lemon Hill, country residence of Henry Pratt, Esq. — This fine 

 place is situated on the Schuylkill river, a short distance from the 

 celebrated Fairmount water works. The range of hot-houses and 

 green-houses, is about two hundred and twelve feet in length, and 

 is divided into six compaitments ; or rather, they are additional houses, 



