66 Present Appearance and Prospects 



did they experience the effects of a genial sun and milder climate, than they 

 left those from the States far behind. Peter Hamilton, Esq., has a very good 

 garden here, but this season he has no gardener. On the whole, I do not 

 think there is such a sj)irit for gardening in Hamilton now, as there was five 

 years ago ; as then there were three professional gardeners in places. It is 

 astonishing that a spot so divinely beautiful has not attracted people of fortune 

 to settle there ; as there is the most romantic scenery in the background, and 

 Lake Ontario in front, with views the most superlatively sublime. 



Dimdas. — Dundas is near to Hamilton, and bids fair to compete with it. 

 There are several very spirited individuals at Dundas, and they have displayed 

 a taste in gardening matters far beyond mediocrity. I will now introduce a 

 few remarks respecting the gardening around the Falls of Niagara, with the 

 view of bringing the country regularly before me. Some time ago, a city was 

 contemplated here on an extensive scale, which induced several gentlemen of 

 fortune to locate themselves in this delightful and far-famed region. Lieutenant- 

 General Murray, Dr. Mewburn, Captain Green, Dr. Clark, Mr. Robinson, &c., 

 have all done something in the way of introducing fruit trees, and ornamental 

 trees and shrubs, and although there is nothing very particular at either place, 

 yet it is very gratifying to see gentlemen using their best efforts by precept and 

 example. Queenston and Niagara I pass over, and proceed to the capital of 

 Upper Canada, the city of Toronto. 



Toronto. — Of the spirit that exists in this city and its vicinity for horti- 

 culture, I feel myself tolerably competent to speak, having some years ago 

 established myself there ; and, in justice to the ladies and gentlemen, I must 

 confess, I experienced a support far beyond my most sanguine expectations ; 

 but, my f enchant for exploring the forest, and viewing Nature in her luxuriant 

 wildness, preponderated, and I relinquished the fair prospects of a good busi- 

 ness, to gratify my wandering mania. At that time, the province was under 

 the government of the amiable and philanthropic Sir John Colborne. From 

 His Excellency I met with every encouragement. He generously remitted 

 the duties on my introductions ; and every novelty was purchased freely. 

 Finding such a predilection for gardening pursuits, I suggested the propriety 

 of establishing a Horticultural Society. The Society was organised with His 

 Excellency as patron ; and never did I experience greater satisfaction than 

 attended my duties as corresponding secretary. Subscriptions were freely 

 made, and promptl}' paid. A public garden was proposed by His Excellency, 

 and several of the leading members of the legislature ; every circumstance 

 promised success. I left the Society in a most flourishing state, but on my 

 return, the past summer, I found it had shared the fate of many similar insti- 

 tutions, and that it had passed into the vale of oblivion. Among various gar- 

 dens in the neighbourhood of Toronto, I may enumerate the following as 

 the most deserving of notice. 



The Hon. W. Allen has a very extensive garden and pleasure-grounds. The 

 pleasure-grounds are laid out in good taste, and kept in most excellent order. 

 Mrs. Allen is a great admirer of plants, and displays a most judicious taste in 

 her selections of them. 



The Hun. George Markland has a very neat spot, which contains a small 

 green-house, in which I saw some very choice plants, and several fine speci- 

 mens. 



The Hon. George Crookshanks has also a green-house connected with his 

 establishment, and spares no expense in procuring every desirable article. 



The Hon. Joseph Wells. — Colonel Wells has an extensive garden, decidedly 

 the best collection of fruits I met with. Here 1 found everything in first- 

 rate order ; " a place for everything, and everything in its place." System and 

 regularity was conspicuous in the whole establishment, even to the arrange- 

 ment of the implements in the tool-house. Col. Wells is much attached to 

 horticulture, and was a warm patron of the Toronto Horticultural Society. 



The Hon. John Henry Dunn has a well-kept garden, containing some fine 

 specimens of hardy shrubs, a good collection of herbaceous plants, and choice 

 annuals. 



