Evolution of Iborticultute 



As the homes of the people, not only 

 in the Old but in the New World, openly 

 reveal their civilized or their barbarous 

 condition their thrift and advancement, 

 or their sloth and consequent degrada- 

 tion, Village Improvement is a subject of 

 vast importance. It is a mighty factor in 

 the hands of the horticultural societies, 

 and should be greatly encouraged as 

 the happy medium for the promotion 

 of aesthetic, hygienic, instructive, and 

 ennobling principles. 



A comparison of the first exhibitions 

 of the Massachusetts as also of other 

 Bastern Horticultural Societies, gives evi- 

 dence of the astonishing advances that 

 have been made in the variety and im- 

 provement of all horticultural produc- 

 tions during the past century. In the 

 fruits, most wonderful changes have been 

 brought about in pears, apples, grapes, 

 and the smaller fruits. The varieties of 

 vegetables have been vastly multiplied 

 and improved, while a few new species 

 have been introduced. The proof of 



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