THE FALL EXHIBITIONS. 



September is the holiday season of the horticulturist. It 

 is the month of exhibitions, when the enthusiastic cultiva- 

 tors of the country meet together to exchange opinions, 

 compare superior specimens of their skill, and discuss the 

 progress of horticultural science and rin*al art. It is a season 

 whose coming is anxiously awaited, and whose approach is 

 greeted with the liveliest emotions of pleasure. For, unlike 

 the usual holidays which we keep nationally, or by virtue of 

 our state laws, when there is simply a relaxation from labor, 

 the September holidays of the cultivator are periods for ac- 

 quiring knowledge, for delighting the eye, and advancing the 

 social character of our people. While the relaxation from 

 labor invigorates the health, the exchange of ideas im- 

 proves the intellect, and the inspection of the products of 

 others lessens our own conceit, and enlarges our sphere of 

 action. Winter, spring and summer have come and gone, the 

 active labors of the season have been performed, the crops 

 have been mostly gathered, and the intelligent cultivator, 

 cheered by a bountiful harvest, can now exchange congratula- 

 tions with his friends, renew their social intercourse, compare 

 the products of his skill, discuss improved systems of cultiva- 

 tion, and then return to his labors refreshed by the period of 

 recreation, his mind stored with that knowledge, which is 

 the sure result of his participation in these annual gatherings 

 of the horticulturist. 



With the establishment of horticultural associations we 

 may date the rapid increase of horticultural art in the present 

 century. In 1804, Sir Joseph Banks and other gentlemen 

 founded the London Horticultural Society, for the purpose of 

 " collecting every information respecting the culture and treat- 

 ment of all plants and trees, as well culinary as ornamental, 

 and for giving premiums in horticulture, whenever it should 

 be judged expedient to do so." The history of this society is 



VOL. XXII. NO. IX. 50 



