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It -was through the writings of these men of genius, together with the 
efforts of the Horticultural Associations of England, that the British Isle 
has been converted into a magnificent garden. And it is an interesting 
fact, that where Christianity has struck its roots so deep, and raised the 
nation to such a sublime position of moral influence, the people have ac¬ 
quired an intense passion not only for all that is useful, but, also, for 
every thing that is ornamental in gardening. And such has been the in¬ 
fluence of these delightful rural occupations over the popular intellect 
and heart, that the literature of England is tinged with the exquisite 
colorings of nature, and her sweetest poetry is fragrant with the breath 
of her roses and jessamine. 
Our own country furnishes another illustration of the truth, that hor¬ 
ticulture is the legitimate product of a high degree of intellectual and 
moral cultivation. I now speak of horticulture in its widest significance— 
embracing, within the term, not only the cultivation of esculent vegeta¬ 
bles, fruits, ornamental trees, shrubs and flowers, but also an elaborate 
arrangement of rural scenery for purposes both of utility and embellish¬ 
ment. It is not until recently, that our own country has become exten¬ 
sively and deeply interested in ornamental gardening. This is the result 
of our great progress in wealth, in a knowledge of the fine arts, and in 
our increasing taste for the beauties and luxuries of nature. America 
can now boast of her theoretical .and experimental horticulturists who 
are vieing with those of the older countries of Europe to enrich the en¬ 
virons of our cities and country seats with the most admired productions 
and decorations of the garden. Much progress has already been made, 
in the older portions of the Republic, in this work of substantial utility 
and rural embellishment. Magnificent villas are beginning to stretch 
from our commercial marts along the banks of our beautiful rivers;— 
* 
our markets already abound with the choicest fruits; and the green-house, 
filled with rare productions from every clime, is becoming an indispensa¬ 
ble appendage to the mansions of those who have amassed a fortune, 
and are living at ease. Now the moral influence of this growing taste for 
both the useful and ornamental, in horticulture, must be very great. The 
mind of man cannot be held in close contact with nature, when she is 
revealing herself in all the brilliant coloring, and graceful forms and 
tempting luxuriance of a literal paradise, without yielding to her refining 
