PREFACE. IX 



them in Europe. Nor need this remain a soUtary instance, for there is, 

 perhaps, no climate in the world so admirably adapted as this to produce 

 perfection in seed, consequently nothing is wanting but industry, care 

 and ingenuity in the selection and cultivation of flowers, to enable us to 

 produce the finest displays of what are termed florists' flowers. To the 

 President, for these Camellias, and to Mr. Feast, of Baltimore, for Roses, 

 have been decreed the highest rewards of the Society. These will, no 

 doubt, prove strong incentives to continue this pursuit. 



Although the description and deluieation of our Native Fruits and 

 Flowers will be the most prominent features of these Transactions, it is 

 hoped that the Society will soon be enabled to offer such premiums for 

 Papers, to be inserted in their volmnes, as will ensure communications on 

 the best methods of cultivating various Vegetables. There are many 

 delicious esculents which are by no means common, and some yet to be 

 introduced. The fine curled endive, delicately blanched, the Scotch kail, 

 do not yet decorate our Autumnal markets. Experiments of the writer 

 have shown, that they can be cultivated here in perfection, with the greatest 

 ease ; the same may be said of the beautiful large Cos lettuce. Sea kail 

 is almost unknown, yet it is raised, for sale, in large quantities in other 

 countries, where it is considered dehcious and very Avholesome, and when 

 the taste is once acquired, it will, no doubt, become a favorite vegetable. 

 The dehcious " Couve tronchuda,"^ a very large cabbage, the whole of 

 which, but particularly the stalk of the leaf, is of a much finer flavor than 

 asparagus, is nearly unknown. These enumerations might be extended 

 to some length, but it is not necessary in a preface. 



In this age of the application of Science to Agricultural pursuits, a large 

 sphere is offered for similar experiments in Horticulture ; there never has, 

 or perhaps never will be a period in which more opportunities may occur 

 for estabhshing improved methods of cultivating all objects of horticultural 

 interest. The Society hopes that in the pages of their Transactions will 

 be found the earhest accounts of experiments with various new manures, 

 on Fruits, Flowers and Vegetables. 



*The writer received tliis Spring, from Mr. Henry Colman, at Paris, a few seeds of what was repre- 

 sented to him as a very extraordinary Cabbage, but which he had not seen. After distribution amongst 

 a few friends, the remainder were sown ; from the appearance of the young plants, they are undoubtedly 

 this Couve tronchuda. For an interesting account of this plant, see the Horticulturist, for January, 

 1847. 



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