THE GAEDEN OF HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 243 



somewhat tautological name,) the principle which l\ 

 or ought to be, adopted is selection. Certain plant-;, 

 whether species or varieties, but possessed of notice- 

 able qualities, are chosen, and their culture is so 

 Extended and varied as at once to determine their 

 practical value, and to illustrate and exemplify the 

 best methods by which they may be produced in pri- 

 vate establishments. In the botanic garden the pre- 

 dominating interest is the purely scientific ; in the 

 horticultural garden the chief aim is the useful, includ- 

 ing in that term, however, the process of ornamental 

 as well as economical gardening, and the application 

 of scientific principles to the effecting of these utili- 

 tarian results. 



The gardens attached to horticultural societies have 

 done much to promote the great advance recently 

 made by this pleasing and useful art. The conductors 

 of the splendid establishment belonging to the great 

 metropolitan society — some of them men of high 

 scientific attainments, all of them characterized by 

 skill, perseverance, and devotedness to their favorite 

 pursuits' — have been particularly instrumental in for- 

 warding the inarch of improvement. They have estab- 

 lished a correct nomenclature of fruits, which, from 

 the prevalence of provincial names and other circum- 

 stances, had previously been in a state of great confu- 

 sion. They have brought into general notice many 

 good varieties heretofore confined to particular locali- 

 ties. They have introduced many new and admirable 

 sorts from abroad. The comparative value, too, of 

 numerous fruits and culinary vegetables and flowers 

 has been correctly appreciated, and those which were 

 found worthless or indifferent have received the merited 



