SEPTEMBER. 



397 



Second, there should be no diffidence among the members 

 in regard to shov/ing. Every one has something to exhibit, 

 and it never should be withheld upon the plea that others 

 have better. Let the best be shown, and if excelled by 

 others let the second trial show the benefit derived from the 

 first defeat. It is this determination not to be excelled, that 

 has done so much to advance the art of cultivation. 



Such are the objects, and such have been the results of 

 our horticultural associations. The season has now arrived 

 when we are again to join in the pleasures and excite- 

 ments of the Autumn Exhibitions, and to aid in rendering 

 them attractive and instructing. Let the best specimens of 

 our industry and skill be reserved for this purpose, even 

 though there be no hope of reward. The reflection that we 

 have done something in the great cause of horticultural 

 progress will be sufficient to incite us to new exertions in 

 behalf of an art so eminently conducive to individual comfort 

 and enjoyment, and the welfare of mankind. Let us wel- 

 come this gala season of the cultivator. 



THE LITERATURE OF GARDENING. 



BY WILSON FLAGG. 



No. Vn. Sir Walter Scott.* 



It is well known that Sir Walter Scott had a great deal of 

 taste for the embellishment of grounds, and for the study of 

 architecture. The wreck of his fortune was owing to the 

 indulgence of his taste, in building and ornamenting his no- 

 ble estate at Abbotsford, and to the hospitalities so freely 

 connected with it. Sir Walter, however, was not an admirer 

 of what has been termed the English style of landscape ' 

 gardening. He had a great reverence for the antique, and 

 for whatever has been rendered venerable by age. He ad- 



* The article from which this is abridged may be found in Scott's Prose Works, Vol. 

 XXL, English edition. 



