CHAPTER XIII. 



NOTICES OF COLLECTIONS OF CONIFERS. 



"Give fools their gold, and knaves their power, 



Let fortune's bubbles rise and fall ; 

 Who sows a field, or trains a flower, 

 Or plants a tree, is more than all." J. G. Whittier. 



We think it advisable to introduce notices of some of 

 the best collections of Coniferte in this country. With re- 

 gard to plantations of these trees, we are vastly behind 

 our transatlantic brethren; for whilst they boast of their 

 extensive pinetums and costly collections of Conifers, our 

 ambition, as a general thing, has been satisfied with a small 

 lawn, enriched with a few choice trees. But for the ex- 

 cellent little gardens of Bartram, Marshall, the Peirces, and 

 one or two in the Eastern States, America has had nothing 

 to boast of in this respect. 



Since the commencement of this work we have been 

 agreeably surprised to find this family of plants becoming 

 popular; and an interest has been awakened through the 

 influence of a few true lovers of the beautiful, who have 

 taken the lead in this good work. The indications now 

 are that America will, at no distant day, be celebrated for 

 her interest in arboriculture, as well as for her fine collec- 

 tions of trees. Even now we are having parks planned as 

 in New York, and botanical gardens laid out as at St. 

 Louis, affording examples which are certain to be follow- 

 ed. Once make a commencement in any good work, and 

 other important results are always sure to follow. 

 413 



