18 Taste in Horticulture and in Designs. 



may also apply. The nature and capacities of the situation 

 are to be consulted. Smaller areas should be devoted to 

 humble and showy specimens ; larger and wider should em- 

 brace a greater and more various growth. So numerous have 

 become the objects of the florist's care, that scarcely any soil 

 or spot could be found, which is not suited to ornamental 

 improvement. For shade and for sunshine, for moisture and 

 for aridness, for fertility and for sterility, for mould and for 

 sand, for clay and for peat, may be found plants appropriate. 

 For trellises and for arbors, for pillars and for pediments, for 

 vases and for baskets, for fountain and for mimic lake, are 

 the very flowers and plants which are needed. For all sea- 

 sons of the year, from earliest April to chill December, are 

 hardier or more delicate, little or larger floral gems, which 

 may gladden the heart of the recluse or of the generous. 

 Only, to have them enjoyed in their perfection, every one 

 should strive to do them justice. So propitious and kind a 

 deity as Flora, should not be mocked with a want of taste 

 and sense of propriety. She reigns over the graces and ele- 

 gances of life and of nature ; she expects her devotees to pay 

 her their homage in the same spirit and truth. 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society also, has done 

 much to introduce a better and more correct public sentiment 

 in regard to the value and importance of Horticultural pur- 

 suits. By its judicious and high-minded management, we 

 can see yearly, the improvements which are taking place 

 around us in this respect. If it were for fruits alone, that our 

 gratitude should be shown towards this Society, it would be 

 no small matter. But it has by no means stayed its eflbrts 

 or its hands in these. For the creation of new varieties of 

 superb flowers, we are deeply indebted to its members. For 

 the enterprise shown in the introduction of every thing of 

 foreign interest, we ought not to forget some, and not a few, 

 who hold prominent and laboriously useful offices of its honor 

 and trust. For its weekly displays of every thing which 

 the season affords, from the newest and latest Belgian pear to 

 the prettiest annual or more gorgeous perennial, introducing 

 to notice whatever is thus curious and valuable. And for its 

 annual exhibition, intended to gratify the public, and to en- 

 courage its members to a laudable and more earnest endeavor : 



