Progress of Horticulture in the U. States. 5 



gaged In trade, she has been more severely affected by the sus- 

 pension of business than either of the other cities. She cannot, 

 indeed, be said to have ever taken so much interest in gardening 

 as Boston or Philadelphia. Possessing, however, immense 

 wealth, we anticipate a great increase of taste in horticulture and 

 the formation of many new gardens. The Horticultural Society 

 has occupied a large sphere of usefulness, but we have been pain- 

 ed to learn that it is fast losing its influence. The past year it 

 held no exhibition, and, as we have already stated, some of the 

 members have withdrawn from it, on account of its total inaction 

 upon subjects connected with improvements in gardening. In 

 the vicinity of New York, our correspondents, Messrs. C. & A. 

 J. Downing, of Newburgh, have added a number of new fruits to 

 their extensive nursery, and will soon have a fine stock, of many 

 of Dr. Van Mons's new and superior varieties of pears, for 

 sale. 



In Philadelphia gardening has advanced with a steady pace, and 

 the improvements the past year have been very great; probably 

 surpassing any other city. We have been kindly favored with 

 some notices respecting the state of the art in this city, and are 

 therefore enabled to otfer our readers a more particular account 

 of what has been done. Horticuhure as well as floriculture has 

 received much attention. The Pennsylvania Horticultural So- 

 ciety has done much, by its exhibitions and by its liberal premi- 

 ums, towards encouraging the cultivation of both fruits, flowers, 

 and vegetables. And the onward progress which gardening is 

 making, is owing, in a great degree, to its influence. Philadel- 

 phia has been always considered as standing at the head of all other 

 cities in the Union in floriculture; and her citizens who are inter- 

 ested in the subject are probably determined that she shall not be, 

 if possible, ever excelled. Thus, while the Horticultural Society 

 of New York has been wholl)^ inactive, and that of Boston slowly 

 proceeding along without having given a premium these two years, 

 the Society in Philadelphia has paid away several hundred dol- 

 lars in rewards. It is the only sure way of creating a zeal among 

 cultivators, whether amateurs or nurserymen; it awakens a desire 

 to possess new things, and this causes the introduction of new 

 plants, from whence the cultivators in different parts of the coun- 

 try, particularly the South, are supplied. We shall make some 

 extracts from our correspondent's remarks. 



In fruit, Philadelphia and its neighborhood has always been 

 celebrated; but the new and more rare kinds which have been 

 introduced into Boston and vicinity, from Dr. Van Mons's col- 

 lection, or from the l^ondon Horticultural Society, are yet but 

 little known there. Some fine kinds have been originated in 

 Philadelphia, and among them we may mention the Seckel, one 

 of the most delicious fruits, and the Petre pear: the latter we had 



