544 Afi Address, dellvei-ed before the 



The Swedes were the true pioneers in this cultivation, now our pride and 

 boast. Within a century after the hardy sons of the North set foot upon 

 this soil, and with stout heart and strong arm assailed the giant forests, 

 their illustrious countryman possessed himself of his master key. — (pp. 

 11—14.) 



The author thus alhides to the influences which have pro- 

 duced the increased attention to horticultural and rural pur- 

 suits : — 



Within a few years. Horticultural Societies have given it an impulse, in 

 all its departments, unknown before. It is not fifty years since the Horti- 

 cultural Society of London was founded. The labors of this society have 

 produced results truly -wonderful. The example has been followed, and 

 similar societies have multiplied both in Europe and in this country. That 

 of Paris, established in 1826, has been patronized by the court, by the no- 

 bility, and very generally by their distinguished men. The Jardin du Plants, 

 at Paris, is regarded as the best establishment of the kind in the world, and 

 includes what may be called a school for horticulture. 



These are, perhaps, the main sources of that impulse which has been 

 given to this pursuit throughout Europe. Horticultural societies are now 

 universal, and rapid progress has been made here as well as there, within 

 the last thirty years. Nothing is more obvious to those in the habit of re- 

 sorting to our own markets, than the improvements in esculent vegetables 

 and fruits, within this period, both in variety and quality. Still greater ad- 

 vances have been made in the general diffusion of a taste for plants and 

 flowers. The florists constitute now an important class in our large towns, 

 and some of their establishments are truly magnificent. The Greenhouse, 

 the Hothouse, and the Conservatory, are regarded as among the most re- 

 fined and elegantindulgencesof men of wealth and taste, and very generally 

 introduced. Many of our most distinguished men, in the various professions 

 and in the higher walks of life, took an active part in the formation of the 

 Pennsylvania Society, gave great attention to it for years, and still help 

 sustain it. It has always been a special favorite with the fair sex, whose 

 tastes and habits are so congenial to the beautiful flowers, and their virtues 

 so well reflected in them. The monthly exhibitions furnish opportunities 

 for pleasant re-unions to those who do not indulge in the gaieties of dissipa- 

 tion, and are uniformly characterized by pervading cheerfulness and inno- 

 cent enjoyment. It is impossible to be selfish or ill-natured at a horticultu- 

 ral exhibition. It is the appropriate place for cordial greetings, kind words, 

 winning looks, and cheerful smiles. 



Our anniversary festival is well known to you as the most popular and 

 most joyous of the year. No do the votaries of Flora and Pomona grow 

 weary in their assiduities to keep up the interest of these annual exhibitions. 

 Few know how much time, and care, and thought are given, and cheerfully 

 given, in the preparations. There, as here, no doubt, the participation of 

 the ladies adds a zest to these labors — what else, indeed, could have drawn 

 such thousands and thousands to our gala through such a succession of 



