The Editor's Outlook. 



FASHIONS and methods 

 ^/AJL.i,. change m horticulture 



as elsewhere, but it does 

 not necessarily follow that all change is for the bet- 

 ter. We are fond of thinking that the conceits of 

 other days showed a less appreciation of art, and a 

 somewhat lower grade of intelligence than the enter- 

 prises of our own day. And it is certainly true, if 

 nature is our inspiration, that the formalities of a 

 century ago suffer in comparison with some modern 

 exhibitions of taste. The balanced order, sheared 

 plants and garden labyrinths, which the late Shirley 

 Hibberd happily dubbed the archjeology of horti- 

 culture, possess few elements of genuine taste or 

 appreciation of nature. They show that people 

 looked at externals, at mere form and proportion, 

 not at real beauty. 



We are all prepared to admit, no doubt, that a 

 love of nature and an appreciation of natural ob- 

 jects in proportion as they respond to our better 

 emotions, constitute the true measure of refinement 

 in horticulture. Gardens of a century and more ago 

 were grotesque, artificial, and their owners enjoyed 

 them, as Walter Howe remarks, " because they set 

 "themselves off to advantage." Gardens were ad- 

 mired because of their externals. Fashions have 

 changed, and what now is the dominant phase of 

 horticulture in America ? It may be assumed that the 

 catalogues, which are created to supply a popular de- 

 mand, accurately reflect the average taste ; and 

 these in connection with the current writings and 

 the exhibitions may be taken as measures of our 

 status. If these guides are reliable, then it is im- 

 possible to escape the conviction that blaze of color 

 and monstrosities are now the dominant phases of 

 our horticultural mind. The wonderful popularity 

 of carpet-bedding is proof enough that this is a just 

 conclusion, not to speak of the reflection of that 

 form of gardening in the trade literature which we 

 are asked to consult in making the purchases of 

 the year. 



It is impossible to suppose that a truly refined 

 tas'te can enjoy the dazzling, monstrous and impos- 

 sible colors and objects which are coming to our 

 tables in dozens at this season. Now and then one 

 comes in a tasteful, plain and modest suit, and it 

 brings a sense of relief and repose akin to that 



which one feels when a tastefully dressed person 

 enters an over-dressed company. Somehow, it 

 seems to be impossible to come very near to a sweet 

 love of nature so long as our eyes are filled with 

 color alone. To be sure, these dazzling colors often 

 exist in nature and sometimes in the greatest pro- 

 fusion, but they do not obscure all other beauty. 

 Our catalogues make us feel that color and size are 

 the sole attributes and property of flowers. In- 

 stead of leading us into the fields to find attractions 

 in habits, and shapes of leaves, and beauty of form 

 and texture in greens as well as in reds and yellows, 

 they make us long for a hot-house where we may 

 mass into one little space all the color of the coun- 

 try-side ! A man does not love nature so long as 

 he overlooks the textures and shades of green. 



A friend tells us that the only catalogue which he 

 has yet laid upon his table for further reference and 

 study is one which has no colored pictures, either 

 inside or out, and in which there are no Jack-and- 

 the-bean-stalks, nor sky-lifting melons. And we 

 are sure that this person loves a garden. 



It appears, therefore, that the mass of our people 

 have not yet gotten beyond externals in gardening. 

 We have transferred grotesqueness from form to 

 color. But we are not saying that these gaudy 

 messengers are to be discouraged. It may be that 

 their very gaudiness is a means of carrying infor- 

 mation to thousands who may profit by it. We 

 hope so ! 



THE absurd classification of 

 jiUK 1 ii^uL. I uKi:. r horticultural interests 



proposed for the World s Fair 

 indicates that there is a very crude and indefinite 

 notion abroad as to what constitutes horticulture. 

 The classification proposed for " Department B, " 

 including "Viticulture, Horticulture, Floriculture,'' 

 is as follows ; 



X'iticulture — fourteen classes. 

 Horticulture— four classes, vegetables only. 

 Floriculture — twelve classes. 

 Arboriculture — three classes. 

 Pomology — four classes. 

 Appliances — six classes. 



This confines horticulture to vegetable gardening. 

 We are not aware that such a construction of the 

 term has ever been made before, and we do not 



