532 MONTHLY JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE. 



markably successful in its cultivation. Even upon the Quince stock some of his 

 trees have borne a barrel in a season. He has exhibited one hundred and sixiy 

 varieties of this fruit at a single Show of the Massachusetts Society, and his gar- 

 den now contains more than jive hundred sorts of pears from all parts of the world, 

 either in bearing or under cultivation for proving their value for the American 

 soil and climate. 



Among exotic plants the Camellia was long ago his favorite. His collection 

 at one time embraced nearly three hundred sorts, comprising every novelty ex- 

 tant. Applying, with his usual success, hybridization to this genus of plants, 

 he has been successful in producing two new varieties of surpassing beauty — not 

 excelled hy the most perfect productions of Europe, 



The Massachusetts Horticultural Society two years ago voted him a special 

 prize of silver plate for those beautiful acquisitions to the domains of Flora.* 



Col. Wilder's devotion to Horticulture, his liberality in imparting information, 

 however dearly bought, and in disiributmg seeds, plants, and scions to parts of 

 the country where their value Avould be appreciated, or whence some excellent 

 native production was oflered in exchange, have made him known as a benefac- 

 tor to those who live " amid gardens and green fields " in all parts of the 

 Union. 



We may remark, in conclusion, that it would be difficult- to present to the con- 

 templation of our readers an instance of an individual who so completely ac- 

 complishes all the laborious duties of a life of large mercantile pursuits, and 

 yet who at the same time makes his few hours of leisure, each day, tell so em- 

 phatically for his own happiness, and the benefit of his fellow cultivators of the 

 soil, in all parts of the country. It is only indeed by making Horticulture the 

 great ivorking pastime of his life, that he has been able to accomplish so much. 

 But can one hold up a better example to the emulation of those citizens who 

 find nothing to do in the country, and no occupation there, worthy of engaging 

 their energies and their industriously accumulated fortunes ? 



For ourselves, we rejoice in the long-sought opportunity and means of present- 

 ing to our young readers, and to gentlemen of opulence and leisure, even this 

 brief sketch of what has been done by a single citizen, to investigate the merits 

 and perfect the properties of our flowers and fruits ; much as it falls short of giving 

 a full idea of his contributions to an elegant and intellectual pursuit — one that at 

 once denotes, accelerates and adorns in all countries, the progress of civilization. 

 !Nor can the full measure of honor due to such citizens as Col. Wilder and his as- 

 sociates, for the strong lead they have taken, as well in the science as in the prac- 

 tice of Horticulture, be properly estimated without making large allowance for the 

 rigors of the climate with which they have had to contend. In more genial re- 

 gions, Nature scatters profusely her beautiful creations, with open hand — without 

 waiting for Art to assist, or Industry to serve her — while in the North, she yields 

 them only, if not reluctantly, to the most skillful and assiduous importunities. But 

 to these she does give them in such variety and richness, as none can appreciate 

 who have not witnessed an exhibition of the Society over which Col. Wilder 

 presides. Well do we remember when, on our first entrance into Hawthorn Grove, 



" The perfumed air 

 Gave another sense, its prelude rich 

 Of what the eye should feast." 



* These two Camellias were named by the Society, C. Wilderii and C. Mrs. Wilder. We may give our 

 farming readers some idea of the commercial value of new and rare plants, by remarking that the stock of 

 these two varieties was purchased of a nurseryman for $1,000, who immediately went to Europe, where, 

 we learn, he disposed of them by subscription, at ten guineas the pair. 

 (1012) 



