14 NEW AMERICAN ORCHARDIST. 



of our population seem destined to pass their whole lives 

 shut up in cities; excluded, in a measure, from view of all 

 natural scenes, and forms, and objects, even from light; 

 in whose dark abodes dwell commingled both good and bad ; 

 where dwell unknown, where dwelt Cain, him who first 

 invented cities, where felons dwell, where rest secure 

 the men renowned in crime, for whom the solitude of the 

 country, and the transcendent beauties of creation, have no 

 charms. It is equally to be regretted that so many of the 

 rich, who, from their abundant resources, are always ena- 

 bled to reside where they choose, should prefer the im- 

 prisoned air of cities, with all its accompaniments, to the 

 pure and salubrious atmosphere of the country ; its de- 

 lightful prospect of mountain, or wide-spread plain, of 

 hill or fertile valley, of woods and lawns, its rivers, 

 and crystal fountains, and water-brooks, its solitudes 

 and rocks ; anon those hills and dales, those plains and 

 forests clad in snow, and robes celestial, its glorious 

 sunshine, the eternal and ever-varying displays of nature 

 which the rural iife affords. 



A science whose pursuits are alike so conducive to the 

 health of the body and of the mind so calculated to 

 render mankind useful, virtuous, and happy has never 

 wanted advocates. It has found them with the best and 

 most enlightened of all ages with every friend to his 

 country and the human race. In our own country, the 

 progress of horticulture has been commensurate only with 

 the untiring zeal and successful efforts of a Lowell, a 

 Buel, a Fessenden, and others, to enlighten and encourage, 

 many of whom have recently gone down to their graves ; 

 but their names will long be cherished in grateful remem- 

 brance. Eminently distinguished also for their zeal, a 

 host in numbers, and renowned in intellect, still live. We 

 hail its wonderful progress. Success to those numerous 

 and powerful societies which have so lately arisen in our 

 land to its aid, and in the equal aid of agriculture ! 



First of all in rank and deeds of fame, the Horticultural 

 Society of Massachusetts deserves of me distinguished 

 notice. To the unwearied researches and enlightened 

 zeal of its first president, General Dearborn, I am greatly 

 indebted for much valuable information, which I have to 

 him accredited in the following pages. In pomological 

 investigation and researches, no man in America has 

 done more than Mr. Manning none so much ; to him, 



