eyes, and concealed I'lom the underslanding of man ; 

 and many yet are the nice and ciiiious operations of 

 those seli-same laws, unknown and unexplored. So 

 extensive, indeed, is the field of" every science ^^ hicli 

 holds connexion with, or is founded on, the Natural 

 world, so boundless the perfections of Creative 

 Power. 



Horticulture may be defined as theoretical and 

 practical. Theoretical Horticulture comprises Sys- 

 tematic and Physiological Botany. Practical Horti- 

 culture arrives at certain ends, by former well-known 

 means, or appropriates the results of the labors and 

 investigations of others, without necessarily under- 

 standing on what those investigations were founded. 

 Theoretical Horticulture operates on the vegetable 

 world as does the Animal Physiologist in his depart- 

 ment of study, probes the operations of Nature, tra- 

 ces the reason of this result, or that fact, becomes 

 acquainted with the great moving principle of life and 

 energy, can appropriate to its use, and bend to its 

 service. Nature herself, by carrying out, as it were, 

 her very designs with a more or less rapid progress. 

 Practical Horticulture may be ignorant of every one 

 such principle, treasures up truths only by results, ac- 

 quires knowledge as simple facts, and is confined in 

 its operations. Horticulture is practical in its infan- 

 cy, becomes theoretical in its advancing and gradual 

 growth. 



At the head of Systematic Botany stands the im- 

 mortal Linnaeus. This remarkable man, whose name 

 and works are so familiar to every naturalist, rose 

 like a luminary over the dark clouds of misnomered 



