1^ QTJARTERLY JOURNAL. 



I was not fully aware of the extent to which these facts are 

 true till I made a visit a few clays since to the city of Philadel- 

 phia. I am no sight seer, and consequently did not employ much 

 time in looking up the lions of that city ; although I did more m 

 that way than I am in the habit of doing. But I was gratified witbi 

 what I saw of the horticultural enterprise of many gentlemen there. 

 I was fortunately able to attend one of the meetings of the Penn- 

 sylvania Horticultural Society, connected with a scmi-monthlj 

 exhibition of horticultural products. The show was not large or 

 this evening, but it was good ; consisting principally of flowers. ] 

 was, however, particularly attracted by a few strawberry plant: 

 exhibited by Dr. Brinckle. This gentleman — I called at hishousi 

 but was unfortunate in not finding him at home — has devoted him 

 self with singular perseverance to the producing of new varietie 

 of this plant, in which I understand he has had great success. H 

 crosses different varieties with judgment, and has produced som 

 remarkably fine fruit. But a fact worthy of notice is, that all th, .. 

 plants are grown in pots or boxes in a room in his house, with i\ 1 

 southern exposure during the cold weather, and in the small yar 

 in the rear of his house in summer. 



The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society was instituted in 183' 

 and now numbers more than 700 members, paying annually tl 

 sum of three dollars each, by which means and the amount raised i 

 the exhibitions, a sufficient fund is obtained for carrying on i 

 operations with vigor. Its exhibitions are open to all for the di 

 play of their productions and for competition, whether membe 

 of the society or not, its object being the advancement of hort 

 culture universally. In many societies I have no doubt a gres! 

 hindrance to their progress and prosperity, as well as to the goc 

 they might do, is to be found in the fact that every one is requir( 

 to become a member before he can become a competitor. 



This society holds its stated meetings on the third Tuesday ev 

 ning of each month ; and during the season of fruits and flowe 

 intermediate meetings are held. It has a library containing "] 

 wards of four hundred volumes for the use of members, and it en; 

 sists largely of the most valuable works on horticulture. > 

 wonder, with such a society, under efficient officers, that Philade; 

 phia holds the place it does as a horticultural city. Probably r' 



