ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS. 19 



use of all this ? I will tell him and you what is the use of horti- 

 culture, and what claim it has to be regarded as a science. 



Lord Bacon in his essay on gardening says : " God Almighty 

 first planted a garden, and indeed it is the parent of all human 

 pleasures." Horticulture in its most extensive sense includes not 

 only the raising of vegetables, fruits and flowers, but also the 

 beautiful department of landscape gardening, in which the late 

 lamented Downing gained so much honors for the American name. 

 It may be said with truth, that horticulture is at the same time 

 the earliest indication of civilization, and the result of its highest 

 development. 



The wandering barbarian who settles in some favorite spot and 

 removes thither the fruit tree, or the vine, has already begun to 

 be civilized, while the triumphs of horticulture are reserved for 

 those countries where the highest civilization with its attendant 

 wealth demands that the abode of refinement shall be embellished 

 with all the resources of nature and of art. 



Herder, in his Kalligone, carried away by his love for horticul- 

 ture, a little I think beyond the bounds of due moderation, calls 

 it " the second liberal art," conceding the first place to archi- 

 tecture. 



Addison says, in the Spectator : " I look upon the pleasure we 

 take in a garden, as one of the most innocent delights of human 

 life ; a garden was the habitation of our first parents before the 

 fall, it is naturally apt to fill the mind with calmness and tran- 

 quility, and to lay all its turbulent passions at rest ; it gives us 

 a great insight into the contrivances and wisdom of Providence, 

 and suggests innumerable subjects for speculation." 



Horticulture increases the beauty and comfort of our homes, 

 and thus tends to foster and cherish the domestic virtues, it is 

 in this point of view, of great importance in the social system, as 

 much as the love of country is inseparably connected with the 

 love of home. Apart then from all the uses of horticulture which 

 are evident to everybody, such as the raising of fruits and vege- 

 tables, it has a moral use, so to speak, which cannot be over- 

 rated. The influence of horticulture upon the young must neces- 

 saril}'-, it appears to me, be beneficial ; the pleasures of the garden 

 are pure and simple, they produce a love of what is beautiful in 

 nature, and thus tend to elevate the mind. Such enjoyments, 

 however it is much to be regretted, in the city at least, must ne- 

 cessar.ly be confined to the rich. The demands of commerce and 



