

366 THE PHILADELPHIA FLORIST. [No. 12 



/<W purpose, and that terms were held out of more than usual encouiage- 

 W ment ; and indeed, we believe that the general opinion amongst those e 

 V conversant with the matter, is that something should have been done 

 by that society to preserve these grounds sacred to botanical science, 

 and the memory of the man who imparted so great an interest to 

 them. That it was the duty of the Penn. Hort. Society to make 

 some move in the matter of a Botanic Garden, has been long felt by 

 a majority of its members ; and at one time we believe proceedings 

 were entered into to effect that object. It is not our purpose here to 

 enquire what causes operated against the attempt so as to lead to its 

 abandonment; the renewal of it is the important matter for their 

 consideration. In other communities not so intelligent or enterprising 

 as ours, companies have been organised and Botanic Garden's estab- 

 lished by subscription, and such have succeeded welJ and flourished. 

 A similar course could be pursued here. If a number of enterprising 

 men would take the matter up, a self-sustaining public Horticultural 

 and Botanical Garden could be established which would prove credit- 

 able to Philadelphia and the Union. Then the numerous plants and 

 set j ds, and interesting objects in natural history, collected from time to 

 time by the correspondents and others, would be preserved and securely 

 deposited where they would afford gratification to the public; and 

 our expeditions now content with writing a report of what they have 

 seen, would collect a rich harvest of botanical and zoological speci- 

 mens, knowing that there was provided for them a proper receptacle. 

 Our society could then put at once into cultivation the valuable seeds 

 and plants which are received as donations, and the donors would be 

 further encouiaged to collect and forward rare seeds and roots. By 

 this means such an expedition as that lately despatched to Japan would 

 be a source of botanical riches not now appreciated. R. R. S. 



[p=* Our subscribers would oblige us by letting us know at as early 

 a day as possible their intentions with regard to the next year. Our 

 first number will be issued as soon as possible — nothing but the plates 

 will delay us. We hope that all our friends will exert themselves to 

 procure as many additional subscribers as possible. 



[pr> We have to request our contributors to favor us with their com- 

 munications as early next month as convenient to ensure their prompt 

 insertion. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



Mr. Wm. O'Brien's communication was received. 

 All communications relating to the "Florist" to be addressed to the 

 •-'"Editors, No. 63 Walnut st, Philadelphia." 



fes ^ — - tfQS 



