194 THE BOTANISTS OF PHILADELPHIA. 



situation as gardener to Henry Pratt, who, at that time, 

 had perhaps the most beautiful garden in the United States. 

 This was at Lemon Hill, which has since become a part of 

 Fairmount Park. 



It was about the time of young Buist's arrival in 

 Philadelphia that the tremendous strides in horticulture 

 about Philadelphia began, in which he subsequently took a 

 leading part. The nurseries then in existence in and near 

 the city were Bartram's, conducted by Colonel Carr; 

 M'Mahon's ; Landreth's, in Moyamensing ; Maupay's, at 

 Rising Sun, and Hibbert's, wdiich was probably the first 

 florist's establishment. In the whole city of Philadelphia 

 there were only two greenhouses which kept gardeners, 

 though there were a few more in the suburbs. Such a 

 thing as a bedding plant was unknown. Hardy herbaceous 

 plants and box edgings made up the chief garden attrac- 

 tions, and only those who had greenhouses with rare exotics 

 believed they had much of which to be particularly proud. 

 During the year 1829 the Pennsylvania Horticultural 

 Society had its first grand exhibition. 



In 1830 Mr. Buist entered into partnership with Mr. 

 Hibbert, and Hibbert & Buist did an immense business as 

 florists at Twelfth and Lombard Streets. They commenced 

 at once the importation of rare plants and flowers, paying 

 attention especially to the rose. Among the importations 

 were the Noisette rose and Jaune des Prez, on which they 

 made a clear profit of $1000. Later, on Mr. Hibbert's death, 

 Robert Buist commenced the seed business at No. 84 Chestnut 

 Street, then No. 97, removing finally to the present situation, 

 No. 922 Market Street. 



While a florist Mr. Buist introduced a number of 



