IMPROVEMENT IN THE MARKETS. 471 



through the markets, or walk the streets, we find fruits 

 and vegetables of the best varieties, and giving proof of 

 the highest cultivation, displayed in tempting profusion ; 

 while the many florists' stores are filled with flowers of 

 every description, from the choicest productions of the 

 hothouse to those more easily grown, but not less beau- 

 tiful, which enable all to enjoy what were formerly con- 

 sidered luxuries for the rich alone. The part which 

 the Society has taken in producing this abundance is 

 attested by the most popular of all pears, the Bartlett, 

 bearing the name of one who was chosen a vice-presi- 

 dent at the first election. Equal progress has been 

 made in extending the season of fine fruits and vege- 

 tables, both by the skill of the gardener in forcing, and 

 by the introduction of varieties of earlier and later 

 maturity. The taste for fruit has increased ; so that to 

 satisfy it large quantities are brought from more south- 

 ern climates, where it can be produced earlier, as with 

 the strawberry, or from regions better adapted to the 

 growth of certain species, such as the peach and the 

 grape ; and thus the horticulture of distant parts of our 

 country has been stimulated. The skill of our cultiva- 

 tors is testified by the fact, that, to some extent, they 

 have made return in their own productions for those of 

 more favored climates ; and the markets of New York 

 have been largely supplied with lettuce forced by Bos- 

 ton gardeners ; while the orders received by our florists 

 from still more distant parts of the country bear wit- 

 ness to their taste and skill. The thousands of trees 

 and plants of every description, both fruit-bearing and 

 ornamental, and the quantities of seeds of every kind 

 sold in the nurseries, stores, and markets, show a con- 

 dition of horticulture in the stongest contrast with that 



