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and department of life^ make on us^ to be active and 

 beneficent in our efforts. If we cast our eves over 

 the w^orld^ its past and present condition^ how infi- 

 nitely exahed appears the physical and intellectual 

 resources of our generation. 



The face of nature too, is more prolific and inte- 

 resting, and exhibits ten thousand beauties and bene- 

 fits, unknown to past ages. — The history, therefore, 

 of the vegetable world, written as it now is, in every 

 language, and on every green field, developed then 

 but little compared with the present hour, in which 

 we have assembled to celebrate its triumphs, and to 

 behold, by the light of truth and Christianity, what 

 was denied to the darker eras of man. 



But the great temple of nature, though thus open- 

 ed, is not explored, beyond us there are many mean- 

 dering streams and flowery fields to be traced, and 

 hidden treasures to be discovered. — The promised 

 land rises in bright perspective, and our children 

 must finish what has been commenced by us, — 

 kindling brighter lights, and erecting nobler altars 

 to nature and religion. 



What a theatre for horticultural effort does our 

 own country afford ? The vegetation of the United 

 States is as various as its cHmate and soil. — In the 

 Floridas grow the majestic palm — the orange — the 

 cotton — the indigo, and the sugar-cane. In the 

 Carolinas, the eye of the traveller is charmed with 

 the beauty and grandeur of the forest trees— the 



