

1853.1 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 273 



f^with foreiga gardeners here, as being used to this system they cannot m) 

 ^p (in some instances) bear with what they call interference, but which n/ 

 should be considered as encouragement, on the part of their masters. 

 As to the Glazing, we have seen and examined it, and as far as we 

 can judge, it will answer admirably ; we know of two places, one near 

 here and one in Connecticut, where it has succeeded. One way in 

 which horticulture may be best encouraged is, in discriminating and 

 liberal awards for new plants, fine specimens, &c, by our Societies. 

 We would like to see, not bronze or silver medals, but several gold 

 medals awarded for collections; and let these be convertible into cash 

 if the gardener should prefer it ; though we do think, or we would like 

 to think, that gardeners generally would prefer the medals — still some 

 of them need the money more. We would propose that among the 

 gentlemen ot ample means who are members of the Society, a fund, 

 say of $1000, should be raised, the interest of which would provide 

 one or two gold medals to be awarded each year for some special ob- 

 ject. 



Agricultural Education. — So much has lately been said on this sub- 

 ject, that it is to be hoped that something will come of it. The way 

 in which this instruction is to be had, whether by government schools 

 or by private institutions, is a disputed question ; but so as our farmers 

 do become educated, it matters little how it is done. 



Native Orchids. — We are glad to see this subject agitated ; so much 

 may be done for science by a proper attention to the growth of indi- 

 genous plants of all kinds: not to speak of the added beauty to our 

 collections by the introduction of so many homely novelties — for they 

 w T ould be novelties to nine-tenths of the horticultural public. The 

 details furnished in the article of Dr. Lindley are very interesting 

 and instructive, not only in the collection of Orchids, but in their pre- 

 servation in borders or in pots. We hope to see an interest awakened 

 in these plants which may lead to an extended cultivation of them. 



The Gloxinia. — We have in this neighborhood some fine collections 

 of this handsome genus ; but we do not see them well shown at the 

 exhibitions — certainly, we have not seen such fine plants (with one 

 exception) shown, as we have seen in amateur's houses. The sche- 

 dule may be defective on this score, or the premiums not offered at the 

 proper season. Some of the best varieties we have seen among the 

 new ones are jVapoleon, Grand Duchcsse, Iteline, Queen Victoria, 

 Marie Van Houtte, Lady Mary Cecil, and others. 



Bertram and Templeton — Instances, both of them, in some degree, 

 I of unappreciated merit, at least in their own time \ and, in liartram's 

 case, in his own country— but their reputation extends now over the 

 scientific world. The study of natural science has its own reward; G \ 



__„„ ^osk 



