No. 133.] 343 



flowers and garden vegetables, and cultivated them with such 

 skill and diligence, as to secure the growth and maturity of most 

 of them. The King embarked in the enterprise and ordered from 

 all quarters of the world, some of the most useful and beautiful 

 plants and trees, and had them planted in the gardens of his es- 

 tates, wher(> he would, give those that required it, shelter or pro- 

 tection from the weather, until they got acclimated. Tiiis with 

 the efiorts of numerous individuals both before and since Louis 

 Phillipe's time, has added much to the wealth and beauty of 

 France. The nations of continental Europe, have pursued a simi- 

 lar ourse in a greater or less degree. It was stated at last meet- 

 ing, when tliis question was before us, that Great Britain stood 

 pre-eminent in the same laudable enterprise of introducing ero- 

 tics, or useful foreign plants into her empire. During George the 

 Third's time, 6,75U were imported and cultivated. It' is not to be 

 expected that our comparatively young country will enter as ex- 

 tensively into the business as many of the nations of the old world. 

 We have not, as yet, the facilities which capital gives, such as 

 green houses, hot houses, the preparation and working of grounds 

 and gardens for the reception of many of the new plants as they 

 arrive, to protect them from the weather, until they get acclimat- 

 ed. We have done something at it, but w^e can improve in the 

 system and greatly increase it. We have the example of those 

 •who are older in the business than we are, and the great good 

 they have derived from it, as nations and individuals, stimulates 

 us to do more. 



Osier Willow. — This has been made a part of one subject, on 

 the ground, I suppose, that this useful plant will not grow well in 

 our country, and some doubt whether the genuine one is or has 

 been here. I believe we have in our country every variety of the 

 "Willow, useful and ornamental, the most beautiful of all is, per- 

 haps the weeping willow or as it is scientifically ca.\led>Salix 

 Babylonica, we have these in abundance and great perfection, and 

 as it has been stated at this Club heretofore, and proofs given of 

 of it; we have the osier for making baskets, &c. To show 

 that the willow of every species requires a wet, moist soil, they 

 do not grow as thriftily nor live as long on high ground, they de- 

 cay and die sooner. This has been the habits* of the plant in all 



