Johnson^ s Dictionary of Modern Gardening. 273 



temporary engagement. It was not long, however, ere his qualifications 

 and correct deportment secured the favoiable notice of Robert Morris, the 

 distinguished revolutionary patriot, in whose employment he entered, and 

 continued for several years, and with whose regard he was honored until 

 the close of Mr. Morris' eventful life. 



Mr. L., on relinquishing the employment of Mr. Morris, was enabled to car- 

 ry out his long-cherished and original design of establishing himself as a Nurs- 

 eryman ; and shortly thereafter laid the foundation of what has been known 

 throughout the I'nion, for more than half a century, as the " Landreth 

 Nurseries." He ultimately associated with himself a younger brother, 

 Cuthbert, who had followed him to America, and their united efforts ena- 

 bled them successfully to conduct what was then considered an extensive 

 business. A scrupulous regard to what was due to others secured respect 

 and moderate competency. 



To the brothers Landreth, Philadelphia is, in a degree, indebted for the 

 early development of horticultural taste, and in the facilities which they 

 afforded for its gratification, the whole Union has participated. Their pro- 

 ductiwns, ornamental and useful, have been distributed far and wide. Spec- 

 imens of fruits a[id flowers from their grounds exist in almost every town 

 and hamlet in the country. The earliest collection of Camellias in Amer- 

 ica was made by them, and their importations of valuable plants and fruits 

 were e.xtensive. Their collection of indigenous plants, obtained through 

 the agency and friendship of traveling collectors, and local correspondents, 

 was, perhaps, the largest of its day, if wc except the magnificent one of the 

 Bartram Botanic Garden. 



How vast have been the enlargement of horticultural taste, and the means 

 of gratifying it since Mr. Landreth first embarked in his floral enterprise ! 

 Then a green-house, or, as it was popularly termed, a " glass-house," was 

 an object of amazement, and a simple rose, exhibited in a window budding 

 and blooming " out of season," attracted a wondering crowd. Now a res- 

 idence in town or country is scarcely considered perfect which does not em- 

 brace at least a room prepared for the preservation of plants ; and the thou- 

 sands who throng the exhibitions of our Horticultural Society evince the 

 extent of interest on the subject. 



The temperate and regular habits of Mr. Landreth promoted health, and 

 protracted life beyond the ordinary term. In manners, he was plain and 

 unobtrusive ; his temperament ardent, actively sympathizing with the afflict- 

 ed, or warming with indignation at oppression. His fondness for plants in- 

 creased with age, and, though their culture was the source of his support, 

 he loved them for themselves alone. ' Trade' was, with him, an adjunct 

 to the gratification of a refined enjoyment. Never did painter look upon 

 his canvas, in glorious enthusiasm for his art, with an eye more abstracted 

 from the lucre which his pencil brought, than did David Landreth in the 

 contemplation of his floral family. A beautiful plant, a noble tree, or a 

 landscape decorated by the hands of nature or of man, were to him objects 

 of the purest pleasure. After an active and well-spent life, and with an 

 enviable reputation, he died on the 22d August, 1836, aged 84." — pp. 337, 

 338. 



