of Gardening in the Canadas. 69 



high-sounding scientific names applied to establishments of the most meagre 

 description ; but the ultimatum of this misnaming was never brought before 

 me so palpably as on my visit to the above-named establishment. The name 

 itself was prepossessing ; and, added to this, I had read an advertisement 

 stating that it contained fifty thousand species. I considered this a misprint, 

 until other circumstances convinced me it was an intended deception to catch 

 the ignorant and unsuspicious. Judge of my astonishment, when I found the 

 whole collection comprised in the small compass of from 700 to 900 pots ; 

 and, as near as I could judge, comprising from sixty to seventy species, and 

 the whole in the worst possible condition. Mr. Gilbanlt is a perfect stranger 

 to me, but it is impossible to censure in sufficiently strong terms the impro- 

 prietj' of deluding the community by such fallacious advertisements. My in- 

 dignation is so strong on this topic, that I will not ti'ust my pen any more on 

 the subject of Gilbault's Botanic Garden. 



Mr. M'Kenzie and Mr. M'Carracher have establishments, but they are 

 chiefly in the culinary line. As respects the private gardens about Montreal, 

 they are numerous; but, as a description of them was published in a former 

 number of the Gardener's Magazine, a repetition from me is perfectly unneces- 

 sary ; more so as these contain nothing particular to merit attention, if I ex- 

 cept a green-house in the gardens of John Molson, Esq., and a range of 

 forcing-houses belonging to Asa Goodenough, Esq. There are various ama- 

 teurs who do much to keep the spirit for horticulture alive ; would they were 

 equally numerous and indefatigable in other parts of the country ! 



Montreal has long been celebrated for large cabbages. I recollect hearing 

 them extolled in Scotland twenty-five years ago. I have certainly seen some 

 fine specimens this autumn, some of them weighing from 401b. to 43 lb., and 

 of a very excellent flavour ; they are an improved variety of the Drumhead. 



A'' pi-opos to the gardening and botany of Montreal, in the suburbs of Mon- 

 treal lie the remains of poor Pursh. Pursh, who had done so much for the 

 elucidation of the botany of America, lies here; with no monument, not even 

 a tablet, to point out the last resting place of this most enthusiastic, most 

 indefatigable man. Far be it from me to depreciate the valuable services of 

 my countryman, Mr. David Douglas, but, were these two eminent botanists 

 compared together, who would lose by the comparison, Pursh or Douglas ? 

 Yet the former is passed over in silence, while the latter is to be rendered 

 immortal. I sincerely hope thi.s brief allusion to the subject will not be con- 

 sidered obtrusive ; and if it would only induce some more influential person 

 to take up the matter, and verify the old adage, " Better late than never," it 

 certainly would, in my opinion, be only awarding a just tribute to departed 

 worth. I have the most positive proofs that if a subscription were com- 

 menced by European botanists, it would be warmly responded to by various 

 individuals in Montreal. 



In conclusion, I would beg leave to state that I never was an advocate for 

 gardeners coming to this country to act as serving-gardeners. The more I 

 see of the countrj^, the more I am convinced of the correctness of my former 

 conclusions. No man who has filled a respectable gardener's situation in 

 Great Britain can ever feel satisfied with the generality of American situations. 

 I believe it was old Mr. Fraser who, after travelling far and wide, gave it as 

 his firm conviction, there was no place in the world like England for a serving- 

 gardener. I shall only add that, if gardeners will emigrate, let them by all 

 means give the States the preference ; for the Canadas ought to be every gar- 

 dener's last resource. 



It was my intention to add a little information on the localities of 

 some Canadian favourite plants ; but I fear I have already extended this too 

 far. Probably, next season, I may send you a tolerably complete list, with 

 such information as 1 may deem of importance. 



Montreal, Nov. 16. 1839. 



F 3 



