go A Retrospect. 



The Pine, Fir uud Hemlock contras^t ricbly with the Chcsnut and Oak. So 

 does the Poplar and white Birch, whose early tender foliage thickens the 

 branches, while late leafing trees retain the nakedness of winter. 



Forest trees should never he planted in rows. It gives them all too 

 formal an appearance. Set them so that their location will appear as much 

 like an accidental springing up from the soil as possible. They should be 

 set so far apart that they will for many long years have a chance to de- 

 vclopo their symmetry of form in natural and easy proportions. If imme- 

 diate shade is desirable, the ground should be filled with such trees as can 

 be taken out as circumstances of growth require to give space for perma- 

 nent ones. Trees of second, third and fourth size may be advantageously 

 set for this purpose. There is an advantage beyond the pleasure a variety 

 gives, in introducing it in avenues and groves. Each variety feeds on a 

 different food from the others, and in its growth will take up food that its 

 neighbor rejects. Thus a more rapid growth will attend a given number 

 of trees when a variety of species is introduced, than when they are of the 

 same kind. Eljiwood, July 9, 1855. 



A RETROSPECT. 

 BY A. ilESSEK.. 



I wish to congratulate the public on their prospect of a new work on 

 Hdrticiilture. It is a study worthy of the best minds in the country, and 

 deserves the patronage of those who would keep even pace with the spirit 

 of the times". That there has been rapid progress of late, in this delight- 

 ful employment, no one can deny; and we think the result is to be attri- 

 buted in part, to the publication of Agricultural and Horticultural Jour- 

 nals. There are already existing some good works of the kind, but the 

 land is wide, and there is plenty of room yet. The love of this beautiful 

 art is a passion, which "grows on that it feeds on," and the diffusion of 

 some good publications will create a demand for more. It is evideflt 

 also, that the great progress made in the matter of cheap engraving af- 

 fords great facilities to the publisher, whereby he can afford a work oft 

 gardening, beautifully illustrated, and at a price exceedingly low. The 

 present state of the art would have been astonishing to our predecessors, 

 twenty years ago. 



Horticulture is both a science and an art. Many pic^rsons contemplate 



