1852.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 153 



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f^in their yards have devoted so much time and pains to the nurture of^ 

 " these few floral gems. We can in Philadelphia realise the voof gar- "' 

 dens we have hitherto only read of. And why should it be otherwise! 



1 



Have not many of the peaceful citizens who compose our population 

 been transported here, from those very scenes where horticulture has 

 been nursed ; and can they lay aside the cherished objects because 

 their lot is cast a few degrees west or south of their nativity! But we 

 calculate erroneously, or America will yet be the home of gardening. 

 "We can imagine a period when naked fences will no longer meet the 

 eye in the neighborhood of Philadelphia — when the Ailanthus and 

 Abele tree will hold the position suited to their peculiar characters, 

 and be no longer an offence to the organs of sight and smell, planted 

 as they often are, against our windows and in our small yard gardens. 

 We look forward to a time when there will be no lack of ornamental 

 shrubs of the evergreen character — no difficulty in choosing a close 

 and ornamental hedgerow. We are progressing — we must progress. 

 A leading spirit can do much, has done much to effect this most desi- 

 rable result — the decoration of the abodes of peace and contentment. 

 One such has been snatched from us in the midst of his enthusiasm — 

 transported from the Elysian fields he could so well paint to his own 

 expansive imagination, we are told, to regions where all is symmetry 

 and perfection. And when this Continent has put on a mantle of rich 

 foliage — when the lofty Himalayas shall improve by their majesty the 

 native landscape which claims for its portion the Laurel, Azalea, Red 

 Cedar, Allhcea, Rhododendron^ Cornus, Dwarf Elder, and the multi- 

 tude of flowering shrubs which have been so profusely scattered by the 

 hand of nature. Then when eulogies and epitaphs, and even monu- 

 ments will fail to tell of the mind that first taught us to decorate our 

 homes, and to make our homes so that they would be worth decora- 

 tion, it would be known by some unfailing tradition that a leading spi- 

 rit had been there, for the evidences of design jemain to prove the 

 fact ; and the name and memory of A. J. Downing will be associated 

 with the scenes of improvement. 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



It has been found necessary, for the promotion of certain objects 

 which would otherwise remain neglected, to form associations devoted 

 to particular arts and sciences, where mutual assistance and anxiety 

 are enabled to effect what individuals would fail to accomplish. Aided 

 by means and council, steps are taken to protect and encourage, to 

 foster and improve the certain branch of science or art, to the interests 

 of which each society is to be devoted. Horticulture is not forgotten. 

 -, As we approach the fall months we are reminded that the great feast of cP 

 X Flora and her friends takes place at this season ; when the eyes and the £) 





