14 



and, that when the culture of the soil is in question, 

 our views should know no other bounds, than those 

 of the great family of man. A few years, I trust, 

 will show, that there are those among us who emu- 

 late his achievements, as I am sure there are many 

 who partake of his spirit. I speak from high author- 

 ity, when I say, that the friends of Horticulture in 

 Europe are turning their eyes anxiously to our coun- 

 try. They are looking to our bright skies and fresh 

 soil, for new varieties of delicious fruits, to supply 

 the place of those, which, after centuries of exist- 

 ence, are at last passing away. Hopes so just and 

 reasonable, are surely not destined to return void. 



I have thus endeavored to state some of the prin- 

 cipal motives which should excite us to the pursuit 

 of Horticulture. There has been much unsaid, and, 

 probably, much unthought of on my part, which your 

 own reflections may readily suggest to you. I have 

 detained you longer than I intended ; but I should 

 be obliged to make a large additional demand on your 

 patience, were I to bestow even a passing notice on 

 many important and appropriate topics which I have 

 passed over in silence. I have said nothing, for in- 

 stance, of the raising of ornamental trees, nothing of 

 that most interesting spot, the Cemetery at Mount 

 Auburn. These omissions are of the less conse- 

 quence, as so much has been said on these topics, 

 and so well said, on former occasions. And now let 

 me ask those of you who are parents, one simple 

 question. Is there a taste for any ornamental pursuit 

 which you would behold springing up in the minds of 

 your children, with more pleasure, and with less ap- 



