9 
eyes, and concealed from the understanding of man ; 
and many yet are the nice and curious operations of 
those self-same laws, unknown and unexplored. So 
extensive, indeed, is the field of every science which 
holds connexion with, or is founded on, the Natural 
world, so boundless the perfections of Creative 
Power. 
Horticulture may be defined as theoretical and 
practical. ‘[heoretical Horticulture comprises Sys- 
tematic and Physiological Botany. Practica] Horti- 
culture arrives at certain ends, by former well-known 
means, or appropriates the results of the labors and 
investigations of others, without necessarily under- 
standing on what those investigations were founded. 
Theoretical Horticulture operates on the vegetable 
world as does the Animal Physiologist in his depart- 
ment of study, probes the operations of Nature, tra- 
ces the reason of this result, or that fact, becomes 
acquainted with the great moving principle of life and 
energy, can appropriate to its use, and bend to its 
service, Nature herself, by carrying’ out, as it were, 
her very designs with a more or less rapid progress. 
Practical Horticulture may be ignorant of every one 
such principle, treasures up truths only by results, ac- 
quires knowledge as simple facts, and is confined: in 
its operations. Horticulture is practical i its infan- 
cy, becomes theoretical in its advancing and gradual 
growth. 
At the head of Systematic Botany stands the im- 
mortal Linneus. ‘This remarkable man, whose name 
and works are so familiar to every naturalist, rose 
like a luminary over the dark clouds of misnomered 
2 
