20 Gardening as a Pursiiit. 



articles from other nurserymen, when ordered by their cus- 

 tomers. 



We have now slightly glanced at the principal Paris nur- 

 series : the view we took of them was rather too hurried, and 

 too late in the season ; but our object, that of seeing something 

 of every thing in the short space of six weeks, rendered this 

 haste unavoidable. We have doubtless fallen into some mis- 

 takes: but if M. Vilmorin, M. Lacroix, or M. Soulange- 

 Bodin will take the trouble to send us corrections or additions, 

 they shall be inserted in our next Number, as a sequel to this 

 article, and before we commence with the flower, forcing, and 

 market gardens. 



(Tb be continued.^ 



Art. II. On Gardening as a Pursuit, and on the Language of 

 Controversy in the Gardener's Magazine. By Charles Lau- 

 rence, Esq, 



Sir, 

 The Gardener's Magazine has been a source of much in- 

 struction and delight to me ; it has abundantly increased my 

 interest in my garden, and contributed materially to its embel- 

 lishment. It has, by almost imperceptible degrees, allured 

 me on, from one day to another, each unfolding new sources 

 of gratification to the senses, until I have begun to flatter 

 myself I shall one day be a gardener. I have ever deemed it 

 wise in the young to cultivate those tastes which are capable of 

 affording amusement and enjoyment in the decline of life, when 

 the resources beyond the study become necessarily contracted ; 

 and, so far as ray limited experience in gardening extends, 

 that science and its fruits of various kinds appear to me espe- 

 cially calculated to aiford delightful and varied recreation to 

 the aged. I might add, that this healthful pursuit is a very 

 probable means of attaining the age it is destined to amuse ; 

 and I am quite sure, that, considered merely as an amusement 

 to the young, none can be more rational, more innocent, or 

 produce a more salutary effect on the mind. But I am ram- 

 bling from the immediate object of my letter, which is to 

 tell you, that the instruction and pleasure I have derived from 

 your Magazine have made me very solicitous about its cha- 

 racter ; and to tell some of your contributors, what I trust 

 they will take in good part, that 1 hope they will cultivate 

 their manners as well as their gardens. Several of your 

 readers have been justly offended with the very coarse style 



