348 HISTORY OF OHIO. 



and Ihey are handsomer, more thrifty and in all respects 

 preferable to any exotics. Our three species of sumac are 

 handsome shrubs which never grow too large for a shade near 

 the house. 



Among the flowers, natives of this state, the Phlox family 

 of many species, of every color almost, coming one after an- 

 other, in the season, from spring to autumn, are becoming fa- 

 vorites. Among the most singular ones, the black flower 

 claims attention. But, the time would fail us, as well as the 

 reader's patience, to tell of all the trees and plants now being 

 naturalized and transplanted into our gardens, court yards, 

 ^ide walks and pleasure grounds. Under the head of Botany, 

 the reader can see what Cincinnati has done in this way. 

 Since this taste for cultivating our own native plants has be- 

 gun to prevail among us, our towns have assumed a better ap- 

 pearance. Our prairie flowers will soon be gone, and lost to 

 the world, unless they are domesticated. Many of them are 

 among the most beautiful and curious in the world. Let us 

 hope that they may be saved from destruction. 



Most of the towns have reading rooms, where a traveler 

 can read all the principal newspapers and periodicals. Libra- 

 ries are increasing in number as well as in size, every where 

 in the state, and useful knowledge is spreading. "The 

 school master is" not " abroad" in this state, but at home, at 

 his daily task, teaching the youth of our towns, at their homes,, 

 or in our schools. 



THE NIDIBER OF OUR POPULATION AT DIFFERENT PERIODS AND 

 RE5IAEK3 ON ITS PROBABLE INCREASE IN FUTURE. 



By estimation, in 1791, 3,000 people. 



Official, 1800, 42,15G 



Do. 1810, 230,760 



Do. 1820, 586,000 



Do. 1830, 937,679 



By estimition, 1837, 1,600,000 



By the same ratio of increase, we shall have 2,000,000 in 



1S40. 



