INFLUENCE OF HORTICULTURAL FURSUITS. 
period, and then, ere it fades and becomes 
unsightly, the fresh lateral shoots rise and 
spread justabove it, producing more flowers ; 
these again arefollowed in the same way, and 
bo on without intermission, so that the plant 
always looks as if robed in its holiday suit. 
The Bame planl has been sold in some of 
the London seed-shops under the name of 
Tagetes signata ; and it is probable that it is 
still to be obtained under that title. 
INFLUENCE OF HORTICULTURAL 
PURSUITS. 
The tone of many of the writers on Horti- 
culture is BO opposed to that harmonious way 
in which we wish to carry out our objects, 
that it would surprise the public were we to 
give them an idea of the number of essays that 
we are obliged to reject, only because the 
writers are not content with giving us what we 
require — useful information, but must use it 
as a means of openly or covertly censuring 
others, who do not happen to think with them 
upon all subjects, or of whose fame, in some 
matters, they are envious, or of whose real, or 
supposed, offence they are unforgiving. To 
this ill-natured course we have an utter objec- 
tion, and will not knowingly lend our columns 
for the best paper in the country with any 
personal allusion to the doings or the omis- 
sions of others, that do not immediately concern 
the subject. Is there any pursuit in the world 
so calculated to produce kindly feelings and 
goodwill among all classes, as that of Horti- 
culture ? Can any one go alone, or with 
company, into a really well-kept garden, with- 
out sensations different to all others ? Whether 
it is the beauty or the fragrance of the flowers, 
or both combined, we know not; but we have 
noticed people of all classes, the humble and 
the exalted, the giddy and thoughtless, and the 
sturdy and contemplative, — the mechanic, the 
labourer, the tradesman, the gentleman, and 
the prince, — and all subdued alike, all delighted, 
although they had different ways of expressing 
their pleasure. Whatever, then, relates to 
gardening should partake of the best features — 
should excite the same feelings. Next to the 
delight experienced in a garden, is the con- 
templation of it. Acrimonious altercation, 
angry discussion, personal allusions to any 
one's disparagement, are all out of place. If 
a man can grow a thing better than his neigh- 
bour, he may congratulate himself on his 
success, but not triumph over his competitors 
further than receiving the reward of his 
achievement. His less fortunate brethren then 
add greatly to his pleasure by the acknowledg- 
ment of his superiority. Let him plume 
himself upon his attainments in a tone which 
boasts of his own talent and depreciates that 
of others, and they seek for reasons less 
creditable than superiority to account for his 
present success. If a man cannot pursue 
gardening without acrimonious feelings — if 
Horticulture cannot be promoted without jea- 
lousy and ill-nature predominating in a man's 
heart, that man must be bad, and can pursue 
nothing calmly and temperately. (Society and 
science are damaged by such people whenever 
they can take a leading part; and it is the best 
reason in the world for avoiding at all times 
the election of such to office. If such men are 
permitted to write according to their own 
nature, and indulge their bad feelings by per- 
sonal allusions or arrogant assumptions, they 
would not only be always in broils themselves, 
but they would involve every work in which 
their writings were admitted. We dislike all 
such people, and object to all such papers. We 
should like to cultivate the higher-minded 
notions. We desire to see Horticulture per- 
fectly neutral ground, on which men of all 
opinions in other matters should meet, like 
the merchants of all nations on 'Change. From 
the moment a man enters a society to the 
time he quits it nothing but the objects of 
that society should be permitted by him to 
occupy his thoughts ; and if any overstep the 
bounds, and introduce discordant subjects, his 
best friends should turn round upon him and 
check it. There cannot be too severe a fine 
imposed on all who transgress the rules by 
mentioning subjects foreign to the intention of 
the meeting, and derogatory to any living man. 
If societies are strict in any one point, it should 
be in this, that two of the most opposite 
tempers, feelings, intents, and opinions, per- 
sonally opposed on every conceivable point, 
should, in the society for the promotion of 
Horticulture, lay down their arms, proclaim a 
truce, to bury, not their dead, like two opposing 
armies, but their animosity. Were this in- 
sisted on, societies must prosper, — were this 
enforced, the science must advance ; and, with 
the necessity of doing our part before our 
eyes, we have determined that no articles in 
this work shall encourage party or personal 
differences ; and that, wherever we can show 
the advantages of harmony and friendly feeling, 
we shall not fail to do so. Our aim is to 
discourage everything but the advantage of 
the science and those engaged in it. Whatever 
will instruct, inform, and improve those but 
little acquainted with gardening ; whatever 
will promote the interests of those engaged in 
it as a profession, will always be found para- 
mount in our highly patronized Miscellany ; 
and if among our readers there be any wiio 
can instruct others, instead of requiring in- 
struction themselves, the best thing they can 
do, is to improve on anything they find in 
these columns, and let their fellow men derive 
