322 »A ofes made during a Visit to 



existed, as possible; and the impressions then made upon our 

 mind have been given at some length bv us in our first volume. 

 By contrasting our remarks at that time with what we shall 

 have to offer in the present article, a distinct idea will be ob- 

 tained of the rapid progress of horticultural improvement in 

 this country. 



Probably no one thing has tended more to the diffusion of 

 new and rare plants, in the several cities which have been 

 named, than the facilities which are afforded by the transporta- 

 tion of plants by rail-road communication. It has, in truth, 

 been the great means of placing in the hands of amateurs and 

 cnldTators of plants, objects which, otherwise, must have long 

 remained with the original importer and propagator. But, 

 thanks to the enterprising character of our countrymen, this 

 has not been the case; by the facilities which are afforded, 

 plants are now disseminated as rapidly over one half of the 

 Union, as they were in former years in the immediate vicinity 

 of our large cities. 



Another means of the rapid spread of a taste for plants may 

 be found in the frequent intercommunication, which has taken 

 place between the gardeners and amateurs of the several At- 

 lantic cities, by the rapid source of rail-roads and steam-boats. 

 Visits are often made, with a view to inspect the collections 

 of plants, and for the purpose of selecting such as are new and 

 rare, and also to note the improvements which are continually 

 taking place in the cultivation of the numerous tribes which 

 now enrich onr gardens. Our only wish is, that such frequent 

 pei^onal communication may have the tendency to do away 

 with much of the jealousy which now exists between gardeners 

 and amateurs, that there may be more mutual good feeling 

 existing among them; and that their united efforts may be 

 more effectual in advancing the great interests of horticultural 

 improvement. 



•Aetf Tork, Aug. 9th. — Our visits were first made in this 

 city; and tboush some of the places have been before noticed, 

 there have been so man}' additions of new plants, and improved 

 m^hods of cultivation introduced, that we believe our readers 

 win find much to interest them. 



Residence of J. »!/. Bradhursi, Esq., above Haerhm. — This 

 fine old place has been in possession of this family for many 

 years. It is situated just beyond Haerlem, near the Eighth 

 Avenue, and bordering upon the Hudson river. From the 



