220 THE P HILADELPHIA FLORIST. [Nov*e 



Un becoming conversant with the position of horticulture in America,,-^ 

 and not depending on the communications of correspondents alone for " 

 our information. With this view many gardens and country seats 

 were visited, and most of the nurseries and public gardens in the vi- 

 cinity of Philadelphia and New York. Many of these did not appear 

 to us worthy of especial notice j and with regard to the nurseries, we 

 do not believe it to be our office to speak, either in praise or dispar- 

 agement. We would have been much disposed to lay before our rea- 

 ders the details of our visits to many of them, and to recount the plant 

 novelties that we observed, but to do so would perhaps be to lay our- 

 selves open to the charge of promoting the private interests of certain 

 dealers, so far as that could be done in such a journal as the "Florist," 

 by recording our opinion of the merits of certain plants found only 

 in certain establishments. We shall, we hope, preserve the journal 

 from such insinuations. We discontinued our notes for the last three 

 months. The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, as most of our 

 readers are aware, appointed a committee of inspection of gardens, 

 after the motion having been carefully discussed at two stated meet- 

 ings : we declined serving on that committee, as we were doubtful of 

 the result of its appointment ; but we did not wish our notes to clash 

 with its proceedings. The committee's report was made returnable 

 at the stated meeting in November, and as that time is not far distant 

 we presume its labors are completed — we shall therefore now resume 

 our notes. 



We visited the country seat of C. H. Fisher, Esq., in the neighbor- 

 hood of this city, one of the most extensive of the rural residences of 

 the merchants of Philadelphia. The situation and surrounding scen- 

 ery are of themselves well calculated to attract the attention and ad- 

 miration of the visitor. No matter from what point the chateau is 

 approached the richness of the landscape is apparent, while the com- 

 manding aspect of the mansion itself renders it a conspicuous object. 

 Surrounded by woody valleys on all sides, the family residence is 

 quite removed from the public thoroughfare, and situated as it is on 

 the breast of a hill a view is afforded miles in extent. Nor is this es- 

 tablishment entirely isolated, several fine residences are scattered 

 around in its vicinity — that of the Hon. J. K. Kane is situated on a 

 neighboring eminence, vieing with it in the grandeur of its forest trees 

 and well chosen site. In the valley on either side is also to be found 

 a neat mansion with its garden and conservatory, the latter appearing 

 conspicuous by its glass sashes through the trees so profusely scatter- 

 ed around. Although quite a newly arranged place, that of Mr. Fisher 

 y rapidly progresses towards perfection. Besides the care and taste dis 

 cV played in the decoration of the lawns and shrubberies, the gardener, 

 j tu Wm. Hammill, does not neglect the greenhouse and vinery. Thel 



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