* 
. PPREerace’. 
Tur LinnaztAN GARDEN was commenced about the middle 
of the last century, by Wiu1Am Prince, the father of the 
present proprietor, at a time when there were few or no esta- 
blishments of the kind in this couatry. It originated from his 
rearing a few trees to ornament his own grounds; but finding, 
after the first efforts had been attended with success, that he 
could devote a portion of his lands more lucratively to their 
cultivation for sale, than to other’purposes, he commenced their © 
culture more extensively, and shortly after published a Cata- 
logue which, at that early period, contained several hundred 
species and varieties, and hence arose the first extensive fruit 
collection in America. At that time the study of Botany re- 
ceived but little attention in our country, and the labours of the 
great Linnzus had not yet shone upon the world, although his 
diligent researches in the great field of science were not un- © 
known to the favoured few who were honoured with his corres- 
pondence. Almost the only aid; therefore, which the founder 
of this garden possessed, to enable him to develope the great 
Book of Nature, was derived from his own persevering genius 
and assiduity. : ee 
Practical horticulture being at that day quite a novelty in 
America, his garden early attracted the notice of persons of 
taste and Science, and from it were disseminated throughout 
Europe, at a very early period, a large number of the vegeta- 
ble productions of the western world. The Sound, or East 
River, about eight miles above the city of New-York, throws 
an arm into Long-Island, to the distance of six miles, and 
forms what is denominated “ Flushing Bay.” At the head of 
this beautiful Bay lies a wide expanse of luxuriant marine mea- 
dows, around which rises an amphitheatre of gently undulating 
hills. On one of these gentle declivities stands the village of 
Flushing, and here the Linnzan Garpen is situated, at a dis- 
tance of but twelve miles from the Ocean, three from the Sound, 
or East River, and ten from the city of New-York—between 
which and the village two stages and a steami-boat go and 
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