Ps 
ae PREFACE. 
"Tue Lixx#Zan GanvEn was commenced about the middle of the 
last century, by Witt1am Prince, the father of the present proprie- 
tor, at a time when there were few or no establishments of the 
kind in this country. 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 shorily 
after published a Catalogue, which, at that early period, contained 
several hundred species and varieties, and hence arose the first ex- 
tensive fruit collection in America. At that time the study of Bo- 
tany received 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 correspon-- 
dence. Almost the only aid, therefore, which the founder of this 
. garden possessed, to enable him to develope the great Book o% 
_Nature, was derived from his own persevering genius and assiduity. 
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 vegetable 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 ** Flush- 
ing Bay.” At the head of this beautiful Bay lies a wide expanse 
of luxuriant marine meadows, around which arises an amphitheatre 
of gently undulating hills. On one of these gentle declivities stands 
the village of Flushing, and here the Linnazan Ganven is situated, 
at a distance 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 steam-boat go and return 
twice daily, affording conveyances the most convenient and pleasur- 
able to such citizens as delight in a rural retreat during the verdant 
season. The venerable founder, after having acquired for his 
garden an extensive fame, died in the year 1802, at an advanced 
_ age, leaving his son, the present proprietor, in the possession of 
his collection; who has, at a great expense, imported from almost 
every country in Europe, from South America, and the Indies, and 
also from Asia and Africa, such trees and plants as were best 
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