32 RECORD OF HORTICULTURE. 



highest attributes of our nature ? Surely no true lover of 

 Horticulture was ever degraded by his profession. But 

 truth comj^els us to admit, that all who claim to be devo- 

 tees of Horticulture are not so in the full meaning of the 

 term. 



Money, that great motive power which debases more 

 than it elevates, has its influence in Horticulture as well as 

 in all other branches of trade and commerce. Men devoid 

 of principle have discovered that money could be made in 

 horticultural pursuits, and they have not been slow to em- 

 brace the opportunity to make it. Others, Avho have spent 

 an ordinary lifetime in other professions that have not 

 been congenial to their health or reputation, have turned 

 their attention to Horticulture in the hope of improving a 

 broken constitution or a damaged character acquired in 

 their former occupations. 



We would not be understood to make a general accusa- 

 tion — far from it, for there are many gentlemen, in the full 

 sense of the term, who have joined, late in life, the horti- 

 cultural ranks. Still, we think it will be generally admit- 

 ted by those who are acquainted with the fraternity at 

 large, that there are a few in the ranks who ought not to 

 be recognized, except to be politely invited to leave. 

 Neither would we assume that all who have been in the 

 business through their lives are Avorthy of the calling they 

 profess. 



The question as to how these abuses can be rectified is 

 one very difficult to answer, yet we may suggest that 

 much can be done by the horticultural press. They are 

 our monitors, and possess a power which, if wielded in the 



