31 



but throughout this section of the country. Never be- 

 fore was there so much inquiry for ornamental trees 

 and for the choicer kinds of fruits, among people of 

 all classes. Never before did gardening and rural 

 affairs engross so large a share of common conversa- 

 tion, — often entirely excluding those unprofitable and 

 acrimonious discussions on politics, and those relig- 

 ious controversies, which are so apt to terminate 

 only m uncharitableness and ill will. Never before 

 was there an opportunity for the interchange of 

 such cheap but acceptable civilities, as the offer of 

 desirable plants, seeds, and scions of favorite fruits, 

 or the timely donation of a delicious melon or basket 

 of grapes. By these means, harmony of neighbor- 

 hoods has been preserved, valuable acquaintances 

 acquired, unpleasant feuds have been suppressed, and 

 many petty jealousies, which secretly rankled in the 

 bosom, have been allayed, and may soon be forgot- 

 ten. If, within the last three years, there is a decided 

 improvement in the grounds of men of wealth and 

 leisure, it is still more conspicuous in the gardens 

 and court-yards of the middling class of citizens ; 

 and even the home of the laboring poor has, in not 

 a few instances, acquired an additional point of in- 

 terest, to attract him from the haunts of dissipation ; 

 his leisure hours are pleasantly occupied ; his mind 

 expanded, and his heart warmed and softened. 



All this, it must be admitted, is more than well. 

 It is excellent. Had no higher benefits accrued from 

 the expenditure of the time, the labors, and the 

 funds of this society, the speculation must have been 



