Progress of Horticulture in Indiana. 55 



In no department is there more decided advance among our 

 citizens than in floriculture. In all our rising towns, yards 

 and gardens are to be found choicely stocked. All hardy bulbs 

 are now sought after. Ornamental shrubs are taken from 

 our forests, or imported from abroad, in great variety, Al- 

 theas, rose acacia, jessamine, calycanthus, snowberry, snow- 

 ball, sumach, syringas, spicewood, shepherdia, dogwood, 

 redwood, and other hardy shrubs abound. The rose is an 

 especial favorite. The Bengal, Tea and Noisettes bear our 

 winters in the open garden with but slight protection. The 

 Bourbon and Remontantes will however, drive out all old 

 and ordinary varieties. The gardens of this town would 

 afford about sixty varieties of roses, which would be reckon- 

 ed first rate in Boston or Philadelphia. 



While New England suffered under a season of drought, 

 on this side of the mountains the season was uncommonly 

 fine, — ^scarcely a week elapsed without copious showers, and 

 gardens remained moist the whole season. Fruits ripened 

 from two to three weeks earlier than usual. In consequence 

 of this, winter fruits are rapidly decaying. To-day is Christ- 

 mas, — the weather is spring-like, — no snow, — the thermom- 

 eter this morning 40°. My Noisettes retain their terminal 

 leaves green ; and in the southward-looking dells of the 

 woods, grasses and herbs are yet of a vivid green. Birds 

 are still here, — three this morning were singing on the trees 

 in my yard. There are some curious facts in the early his- 

 tory of horticulture in this region, which I meant to have in- 

 cluded in this communication ; but insensibly I have, already, 

 prolonged it beyond, I fear, a convenient space for your Mag- 

 azine. I yield it to you for cutting, carving, suppressing, or 

 whatever other opei-ation will fit it for your purpose. 



Indianapolis., Dec. 25, 1844. 



[We find no necessity of making any alteration in the ex- 

 cellent communication of our correspondent, which is fall of 

 interest; we trust that we may receive the " curious facts" 

 connected with the early history of gardening in the West, 

 as soon as leisure will permit. — Ed.] 



