128 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



generally Mnder spread appreciation and culture of the sense 

 of the beautiful ! I have been assured that that most com- 

 mon New England species (Solidago nemorulis), with its 

 small, leaning heads of flowers, and grayish, pulverulent stems 

 and leaves, has been seen in Europe, introduced as a border 

 plant to decorate avenues and garden walks ; and I am sure 

 that there are several besides of more beauty, that would not 

 illy compare with many an exotic cultivated with laudable 

 perseverance and assiduity. 



Our wayward course led us to the examination and compar- 

 ison of many of these brilliant specimens as they occurred 

 here and there. I was only surprised at the variety of spe- 

 cies to be found in the circuit of our morning's stroll, and am 

 sure that an exploration of the capabilities of the Flora of 

 Concord would almost verify an enthusiastic remark of one 

 of her native-born citizens, an ardent botanist when a younger 

 man than he is now — " that you might find anything /Acre 

 which grows in New England." A local flora restricted by 

 such narrow geographical limits, as belong to a town, so rich 

 and diversified, were of course ideal ; yet much might be 

 pardoned, in such an estimation, when variety so remarkable 

 as obtains, is apparent. 



Though some of the finer and nobler golden rods were thus 

 significant of the season of the year, a few only of their com- 

 panions, the asters, were perceptible. These, as yet, were the 

 smaller and less conspicuous species ; yet in sufficient variety of 

 forms to attract our regard. Nothing indeed was disregarded, 

 which might raise a question or elicit a remark : and the varied 

 aspect of the soil, which alternated as we roamed about, with 

 the sandy and drier alluvial deposit of ancient beds of the 

 stream, or with the sphagnous and spongy bog converted 

 into a meadow through which a pleasant cool and sparkling 

 brook was winding its circuitous course, was constantly pre- 

 senting in turn the plants indigenous to the spots. At length 

 we turned away from these more cultivated areas, which bore 

 unequivocal marks of the industrious hand of both the civil- 

 ized and the savage man : of him who shaped the rude arrow 

 head and clipped into symmetrical forms the harder stones 



