1852.] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 131 



§ 





^that department of nature on which the wisdom and power of the™) 

 *o Creator have been impressed so brightly; and especially upon which c^ 

 7 He has abundantly lavished the divine quality of beauty. Without V 

 such a garden we may gain partial views of the vegetable kingdom, j 

 but we cannot see its vast variety and grand harmonious unity. Ev- 

 ery zone, latitude and region has its own appropriate vegetable forms. 

 To visit them in their native localities would be to see nature as she 

 is ; but since this is impossible, we ought to do the next best thing — 

 bring nature to our own doors. We are furnished with wonderful 

 facilities for this — national prosperity — which affords an abundant 

 surplus for the education of the intellect, and the elevation and refine- 

 ment of the moral nature. A rich soil, with abundance of water — 

 iron, wood and glass, the materials of hothouses ; and enterprise, skill 

 and industry to mould them into suitable forms. Men of daring spi- 

 rit, who would love to penetrate the jungles of India, and explore the 

 rich forests of Brazil. A wonderful power in plants themselves, by 

 which they adapt themselves to different circumstances. In some the 

 roots may be dug up and transported to any distance — in others, the 

 entire plant may be sent ; and in most, seeds may be collected and 

 easily transported. Then our sails whiten every sea, and our ships 

 line every port, bridging the deep from every country to this. 



in view of so many facilities I cannot think we shall be long with- 

 out a Garden, and collection of plants worthy of the nation. If we 

 are, I fear it must indicate a state of mental lethargy in regard to pure 

 science, which, 1 am slow to believe, exists at the present time. It 

 appears to be a fitting time to undertake such a work. The nation is 

 in all the vigor of youth, and supply has ^o far gained upon demand, 

 that the whole thing can be done without the least difficulty. This is 

 a transition state, from which it will soon be shown that devotion to 

 mere national interests cannot satisfy. Intellectual capacities and 

 tastes are awakening, which demand sustenance not less than the sto- 

 mach needs its portion, and the back its covering. 



I trust this subject will receive that attention which its importance 

 demands and deserves. 



[For the Philadelphia Florist.] 



IMPRESSIONS OF EUROPEAN GARDENING. 



FLOWER SHOWS, TREES AND FRUIT. 



According to promise, I note for your readers impressions on hor- 

 ticultural and floral subjects in this vast gardening field, and hope they 

 may be applied beneficially to some of those who have an interest in 

 beautifying the homestead, decorating the city garden, or arranging 

 the parterre. Nearly all the inhabitants of Great Britain have a di- 

 rect or remote interest in gardening. The cottager, after the ten 

 hours' toil of the day, resorts in the evening to the cleaning of his gar- 

 den patch of early kidney and golden cup potatoes, his bed of cabbage 

 and cauliflower; whilst the female portion generally twine a clematis, 

 a rose, a pyracantha or a jasmine over the door or the windows in I 

 bower form. These ornaments are not denied by nature to any of cv 

 J^ottr Americans, with the additional favor of a luscious grape vine or^) 



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