Taste in Horticulture and in Designs. 19 



these are instances of the sagacity of its institution, and of 

 the propitious results. It stands thus in a prominent and 

 conspicuous point of view, and is recognized by its influence 

 and eflects, as in some measure the dictator of the pubhc taste 

 in those matters which more particularly concern it. To its 

 tables resorts the inquirer after synonyms of undetermined or 

 unknown fruits, or else to gather from the experience it has 

 realized, some valuable information, which it is supposed 

 capable of imparting. To its flower-stands resorts the inquirer 

 after what is new or beautiful in floriculture, to learn some- 

 thing which interests him. To ascertain how some diflicultly 

 cultivated plant may be treated with success, goes the ama- 

 teur, to find what he has not himself discerned. Of these, 

 we have been. Much that is new, beautiful, curious, rare, 

 valuable, we have thus acquired. We trust that a Society 

 like this will continue to receive the public approval, and be 

 the means of diffusing a correct taste as well as knowledge, 

 in our midst. 



The prominent as well as important situation in which this 

 Society finds itself placed before the public, who look to it for 

 the best and happiest results of Horticulture, in all its depart- 

 ments of operation, renders any thing savoring of a critical 

 spirit, a peculiarly delicate afiair. Yet, out of justice to the 

 great and general cause for which the pages of this Magazine, 

 Mr. Editor, are, we suppose, intended, we venture, with an 

 attempt of a proper degree of modesty, to difler from the cri- 

 terion of taste displayed in the Hall of the Society during the 

 two last Annual Exhibitions particularly. We allude to 

 those larger and smaller designs, which rendered a small 

 space around the fruit tables still smaller, without adding 

 any thing of general interest to the occasion. It seems to us 

 a pity to destroy so many good, bad and indifferent flowers, 

 dahlias, german asters, marigolds and eternals, by nailing 

 them through the centre, like base coin, to wooden structures, 

 called pagodas and temples, or sticking them on flat pieces of 

 pasteboard, of the shape of battledoors, pentagonal stars, or 

 any such devices. We know not, but that we are little 

 better, perhaps little worse than barbarian in our opinion, but 

 such it is, and we shall dare the censure of such judgment. 

 Statues, vases, columns, temples, &c. &c., are all well enough 



