visited in the early part of March. 207 



are two elegant specimens of Chamae^rops liumilis, which Mr. 

 Smith thinks are specificaUy different; two or three of Astra- 

 pa; ^a Wallichu', a notice of the flowering of the largest of which, 

 the past spring, will be found at p. 112; the dependent dried 

 umbels were still adhering to nearly all the terminal shoots, and 

 the plant, when in full flower, must have been splendid. One 

 other species, A. mollis, is. in this cohection. Mr. Smith also 

 possesses Strelitzi'a juncea, not yet of much size. We also 

 noticed Ixora crocata, Bunsfelsia grandiflora, Caladium bicolor, 

 Zamia integrilolia, Crinum amabile, i/ibiscus /iliiflorus; these, 

 and, in fact, the whole collection, are well grown, and are now 

 in a most vigorous and thriving state. Indeed we know not 

 where to point out a collection which is kept in better order. 

 We have no hesitation in saying, that the present one will fully 

 equal, if not surpass, the former in a few years. 



Mr. Smith has lately taken the whole care of his plants per- 

 sonally, having been without a gardener for some time; the diffi- 

 culty of procuring such as are able to manage so valuable a col- 

 lection is very great; indeed it is almost impossible to find those 

 who have a good knowledge of the propagation and cultivation 

 of green-house and hot-house plants. So many gentlemen and 

 amateurs have been deceived and disappointed in the employment 

 of the numerous would-be-called gardeners, who are to be found 

 in all the Atlantic States, that the skill of the truly scientific 

 and professional man is often doubted. There are many with 

 whom we are well acquainted, to whose care any collection of 

 plants, however rare and choice, might be entrusted with safety; 

 and there are also those to whom we should be unwilling to leave 

 the very commonest plants. It is only for the professional man, 

 to be distinguished from the mass of itinerant gardeners who 

 travel the country, to make himself known by contributions to 

 horticultural magazines, or to his employers by his superior 

 knowledge of plants, not of the mere names alone, but of their 

 properties and physiological character, their history, geograpliy, 

 &c., and by some knowledge of the natural as well as the arti- 

 ficial system of botany. Unless he does this, it will be difficult 

 for him to obtain that confidence in his employer, if an intelligent 

 man, that he otherwise would. We look forward to the time 

 when the profession of the gardener will be in this country one 

 of great importance, and when their services will be in continual 

 demand; we are but yet in the very infancy of the art, and have 

 many diings to learn; and the young American gardener should, 

 consequently, fit himself for the state of things that is to come. 



We conclude our notice of IMr. Smith's garden, after this 

 short digression, by requesting all amateurs who may visit Phila- 

 delphia to call and see it: we are confident Mr. Smith will be 

 happy to show them his very choice collection. 



