450 Domestic Notices. 



Art. III. Domestic Notices. 



Horticultural Exhibition in Cincinnati. — The first cxliibition of our 

 Society is past, and we rest well satisfied with the success. It has 

 exceeded my expectations greatly, and I believe that of most others, except 

 perhaps a very few sanguine spirits. There is the element of better tilings 

 here, and I will not doubt but that a few years will see us far in advance 

 of what we now are, perhaps but little behind the Boston society which 

 has set us so good an example. It may not be amiss to say that the beauty 

 of the room was greatly increased by its decorations and ornaments, 

 (cornucopias, pyramids, wreaths, and the like), and these were almost 

 entirely the work of the ladies ; let me say it, that it was more tasteful, 

 more ornamental than the exhibition which I saw at Boston two years ago, 

 though not nearly so rich and interesting to the horticulturist. 



The principal exhibitors of flowers were Mr. Brigham, Mr. Jackson, 

 Mr. Sleath, Mr. Hoppin, Mr. Winter, Mr. Ernst, and some few others, 

 whom I do not now recollect ; and they made truly a very handsome show 

 of flowers and rare and valuable plants. I was so busily engaged that 1 

 was not able to take notes, — you will, however, see a detailed account 

 soon. This branch of the matter is, I think, in advance of the fruits. 

 There are in every little street and in every great street, windows deco- 

 rated with plants ; these we did not bring out, but the prospect of the 

 next exhibition will be suflicient to incite many of them to come, and we 

 shall no doubt show more plants in bloom. 



Of fruits, we mostly excelled in Catawba grapes and Seckel pears. 

 These both were very large and fine. Mr. Mottier's pears measured from 

 8 to 9 inches in circumference, (they were grown on the apple stock) and 

 there were several other baskets but little inferior ; we think them a little 

 inferior in flavor to those grown on their own stock. I cannot give you 

 the particulars of these things. There was a very respectable show of 

 pears, plums, apples, quinces, &c., which I do not doubt will in three 

 years be increased to ten times its present variety and value. 



Among the vegetables and melons, those raised from the seed which 

 you sent us were the most conspicuous. Very few of our fine market gar- 

 deners belong to the Society, and we were not so well represented in this 

 department as we should have been. 



The greatest difficulty with all things of this kind here, has been to 

 continue the interest. Many matters of science and taste have been pop- 

 ular for a short time, and have then given way to something else. We 

 trust that such will not be the case with us, — there is so much which in- 

 terests every one (not only the horticulturist), that we think one or two 

 exhibitions every year must succeed. 



We look forward to many valuable additions during the coming year, — 

 our funds must increa.se, and tiiis is no unimportant matter. We shall, 

 I think, be able to offer prizes, which will be something. We hope to 

 become a corporation, — next to own property, and to have in connection 

 with our garden, a cemetery, which will be worthy of the living as well 

 as the dead. This you will say is getting along fast. We will rather go 

 slow than to trample upon ourselves, but we must not rest. Very truly 

 yours, C. W. EUwt. Cmcinnati, Sept. 25th, 1843. 



