232 Retrospective Criticism. 



sions, which they will undoubtedly do, to make a fine display the en- 

 suinir winter. 



We attended one of the late meetings of the subscribers; the requi- 

 site sum had not been procured, but the most sanguine hopes were en- 

 tertained that it would be. We have no doubt ourselves l)ut the snb- 

 scription list will be filled up entirely, and, when the garden is laid 

 out and ready for inspection, that an additional sum could be easily pro- 

 cured. We hope it will, for the amount to which it is now limited, 

 $20,000, is altogether too small, being barely sufficient to put the land 

 in order, fence the grounds, and erect other buildings, including the 

 green-house. We have not yet seen any plan of the garden, but we 

 hope no one will be adopted without it possesses considerable merit both 

 for its picturesque beauty and its adaptation to the purposes of a public 

 promenade. It is intended, if possible, to make preparations to set out a 

 collection of dahlias, so as to have a fine show even as early as the 

 coming month of August. We hope the corporation will be organized 

 before our next numl)er appears. — Ed. 



Columbian Horticultural Sociehj. — The fifth annual exhibition of the 

 Columbian Horticultural Society, will be holden in Washington, at 

 Carusi's saloon, on the 13th and 14th of June. This society is in a 

 flourishing condition, and their annual shows have, heretofore, been of 

 the most gratifying description. We hope that the secretary of the so- 

 ciety, or Mr. .Buist, or some other of our friends, in Washington, will 

 not omit to send us a detailed notice of the exhibition. — Ed. 



Art. IV. Retrospective Criticism. 



Comparisons are odious. — Mr. Editor: If the above motto had been 

 strictly adhered to you would never have been troubled with any re- 

 marks from me. You have an undoubted right to extol the advance- 

 ment of horticulture either in your own city or in thatof any other; but, 

 in my opinion, you have no right to make comparisons, and even if 

 you had, the exercise of it would only injure the cause you pro- 

 fess to advance. In reply to what you say of us, putting our " light 

 under a bushel," I have only to observe, that it is true our light has not 

 illuininated the pages of your Magazine: but is it a fair inference that 

 we, on that account, hide it? Is there not a possibility of persons hav- 

 ing a defect in the organs of vision ? — yea, there is a possibility of per- 

 sons being altogether destitute of the said organs. I make no allusions, 

 but only for argument's sake; the best argument, however, in our favor 

 is, an appeal to facts, namely, the yearly amount of our sales of green- 

 house plants, shrubs, fruit and ornamental trees. I was going to make 

 a " comparison," but I forbear, — it would be "odious." If, however, 

 our light is hid to the Editor of the Magazine of Horticulture, we do 

 not think it so to others. — Thomas Hogg; New York, May, 1838. 



After the remarks we appended to Mr. Hogg's former criticism, we 

 think it unnecessary to extend them at this time. 



As regards the yearly amount of sales of j)lants, as testing the ad- 

 vancement of New York, in Horticultural science, we think it has no 

 weight at all. With all the advantages which it possesses, and the great 



