1833,] THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. 297 



i S Amateurs ofter\er kill through excessive attention than neglect; the ^>J 

 cf' means are difFerent but the end is the same, death follows either. He ^\ 

 j may also learn many useful lessons by close observation, when he has 

 an opportunity of being in the country,' every mountain, wood, and 

 glade are ever ready to offer some illustration of the great laws by 

 which nature is governed. He will often see instances of plants having 

 come under accidental circumstances which have produced a new 

 aspect. This may turn out important information ; in tact, informa- 

 tion Useful in carrying out his operations. If a richness of flowering 

 has been the result of a certain Cause, it may produce similar results 

 with him. If a luxuriance of foliage has followed, the same cause 

 may produce a like effect, if gracefulness of outline, such may be 

 produced again. It will be for him to note these causes, to store up 

 these facts, and moke use of them as occasion may require ; he may 

 imitate, modify or avoid as best suits the end in view. No informa- 

 tion of this sort, or indeed of any sort is useless, it will be useful 

 sooner or later* The man possessing a general acquaintance with 

 the internal structure of plants, and the various relations which the 

 different orders bear to each other, combined with an extensive know- 

 ledge of the numberless external effects and transformations, pro- 

 duced by causes under his control, has an immense advantage over a 

 person who cultivates his plants according to mere verbal directions, 

 or does as he sees or has seen others do. He knows that in certain 

 seasons such and such treatment is necessary, but he is ignorant why 

 he ought to do so*. Now plant cultivation is modified by so many 

 circumstances, many of them beyond control, that to know that this 

 treatment or the other is required, is not all ; he must know when and 

 why it is necessary, if this knowledge from experience and obser- 

 vation be wanting, nothing can adequately supply its place. The 

 best calendar of operations will not make a good gardener, its use 

 is merely to refresh the memory, for were such full and correct as they 

 could be made, the farther they would be from the end at which they 

 aim. Their value decreases as the directions for one portion of the 

 country do not apply without modification to ail parts; for this 

 reason I look upon a work such as the "Florist" as rendering the most 

 important service to amateurs, improvements being noted as they are 

 discovered, and that too at a small expense. However, no work can 

 supercede personal study and observation in the lover of plants, all 

 his exertions ttnd towards the observance of natural laws, and the ama- 

 teur, even with his artificial structure and confined root room, will 

 have the most ample satisfaction and reward for his labor. 



A Subscriber. , 



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O* Catalogue received from R. 8cott, Federal Street. Q\ 



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60 



