of Horticulture in Indiana. 83 



pleased wilh my enthusiasm for his favorite, that he pre- 

 sented me a tree of the same kind, and one of the Beurre 

 d'Aremberg. 



You will perceive, when you obtain the report of our 

 winter meeting, that a premium of ffty dollars is offered 

 for seedling apples. Other premiums to encourage gardens, 

 — the obtaining of choice fruit trees, — introduction of hardy 

 shrubs and flowers, &c. Our great design is to awaken in 

 the body of the jJeople — among farmers^ artlzans and men 

 of small means, a taste {or fruits andjlowers, and to fill 

 the State from the beginning, with the most select varieties. 

 The peach, plum, cherry, apple, pear, quince, apricot, and 

 small fruits — might search through our land and find no 

 better soil and climate for their perfection than that of In- 

 diana. Our variable springs are almost the only obstacle. 

 Long summers, brilliantly clear atmosphere, great warmth, 

 and dryness during the fall ripening months, give our fruit 

 great size, color, and flavor. If the mass of the community 

 take hold earnestly, amateur crdiivators will spring up of 

 themselves. As it is, I remember very few gardens in 

 Massachusetts, except near large cities, which could com- 

 pare with ten or twenty in this town — (Indianapolis is a 

 town of about the size of Northampton). 



In going to Terre Haute last summer, I stopped at a 

 small, poverty-stricken little town, called Mt. Meridian ; 

 shackly houses, huts and hovels, pale faces, ragged chil- 

 dren, — gave no great expectation of refinements. Putting 

 up at the best tavern (at the West, no matter how small 

 the town, there are always from two to five, or even eight 

 taverns to choose among), I soon retired to bed, as the easi- 

 est way of reaching the next morning. On rising and 

 going into the rear of the building for washing water (we 

 are always allowed to help ourselves in such trifles), I found 

 the well standing in the middle of a very beautiful little 

 flower garden ! neat beds, full of flowers, clean walks, 

 trimmed borders. I could hardly trust my eyes ! From 

 the rear of the grounds I could almost throw a stone into 

 the primeval forests, whose fragments yet lingered in parts 

 of the garden ; and the house was itself poorer than many 

 a barn which I have seen in Pennsylvania and Massachu- 

 setts. Opening a rude wicket gate I entered a spot of 

 nearly an acre, well laid out, and filled with the choicest 

 vegetables, growing with the most vigorous health. Cur* 



