Progress of Horticulture in Rochester^ N. Y. 15 



Art. II. P /-ogress of Horticulture in Rochester, N. Y., and 

 other j)ortio7is of the Valley of the Genesee. By P. B., 

 Rochester, N. Y. 



It does not really seem to be a matter of exact propriety, 

 at any rate, of urgent necessity, to record the progress of 

 anything, when that progress is exceedingly limited, char- 

 acterized by no startling advances, but slowly and steadily 

 wending onward, as if fearful of attracting public notice. 

 Such is our progress in horticulture. And though there is 

 little necessity for noting it, still there cannot be any great 

 harm ; besides showing that we maintain a progressive ex- 

 istence here, in regard to horticulture, it may be the means 

 of stimulating some to further and more extensive improve- 

 ments. 



In relation to Rochester, my remarks will necessarily be 

 quite general, as there are no particular instances of public 

 or private gardens, or greenhouses that have arisen recently, 

 within the precincts of the city, worthy of special notice. 

 Our citizens, true to their utilitarian character, are bestow- 

 ing their first and best attentions on that branch of horticul- 

 ture that yields them the most substantial benefits, viz., the 

 culture of fruits : during the past two years particularly, 

 there has been a most pleasing anxiety manifested by almost 

 every one posessing a garden, from the wealthiest to the hum- 

 blest citizen, to procure choice fruits. And this is the con- 

 sequence of superior varieties being sent into the market by 

 a few gentlemen possessing good collections. Our city gar- 

 dens are now beginning to produce the most beautiful spec- 

 imens of plum, peach and cherry : of pears there is a great 

 deficiency, though in the city and vicinity there are excellent 

 pears of many varieties ; the prevailing sorts are the Virgou- 

 louse, Stephen's Genesee, Bon Chretien, Seckel, Winter Bell ; 

 all these do well, theVirgolouse particularly does extremely 

 well. 



The culture of the pear has been much retarded by the 

 fact that very many of our citizens have trees said to be of 

 the best kinds that have stood for five to ten years without 

 bearing. We have recommended root pruning in such 

 cases ; many of these tardy bearers are proving themselves 

 worthless. 



But whilst the culture of fruit receives particular atten- 

 tion, I admit, and with pleasure state, that the ornamental 



