188 AN ESSAY. 



After seeing the plant in bloom he ordered it to be 

 thrown away. He did not wish to deceive anybody 

 any more. By the way, the six best plants at the ex- 

 hibition spoken above came from his place, Astoria. 

 I only recollect the name of one : Pimelea decussata, 

 a rare plant then, and perhaps rarer to-day. That plant 

 found warmer admirers than wished for, for some one, 

 through distraction, I suppose, took it away with an- 

 other plant, and the year after he found both plants in 

 Fulton Market, New York, and bought them again 

 from a woman selling plants. The art of prestidigita- 

 tion was already flourishing, and we think it has im- 

 proved since that time. These digressions do not help 

 me very materially in exposing my views on the means 

 of ameliorating the elements of success of our Horti- 

 cultural Society. The truth is that I don't know how 

 to begin without ruffling the equanimity of our friends, 

 if I have any ; however, I live in hope to have some, 

 even if I castigate " qui bene amat bene castigat."* I 

 understand that we are going to have a new hall for 

 our Horticultural Exhibition, without depending on 

 anybody. This will be of much more importance to 

 success than my overdrawn phraseology, but every one 

 does what he can, or thinks he does. If so, we gard- 

 eners, nurserymen, florists, and all parties interested in 

 horticultural affairs ought to understand each other 

 when we meet at exhibitions, or elsewhere, not to keep 

 * Who loves well chastises well. 



