New-York tribune., 1867-05-31
THE PHILADELPHIA HORTICULTURAL
FAIR.
From Our Special Correspondent

From Our Special Correspondent
go PHILADELPHIA, May 90, 1851.
The new Horticultural Hall in this city having
been recently completed. formally opened last
ing The of the hall is 10 by feet with balcony
and it is by far the largest horticultural building
country. In addition is basement suitable for public
meetings there also a ladies dressing and two
Offices The lower and foundation walls ~ feet thick
thick 100000 OF brick were used. beside stone,
the 'front.' and altogether is tho strongest least defec
tive and handsOmest building the city. The cost
about Ss0OOO To decorate and furnish this edce the
ladies have united in organizing bazaar fair. the
occasion OF the opening OF tho hail. Ihe IalF VIII con
great variety Of flowers fancy needle and ladies' gen
handcraft work including many articles OF great curl
osty arranged on tables meet the eyes OF the eShcr
enabled 10 present show of extraordinary attfac
Ons. Ia the center OF the hall is fountain; its water
desceDds In gentle rain ID TO spacious TANK ~nere one
is delighted with show OF huge tropical water hes IL
full bloom. -,
The most noticeable sight !s the stage In the back
ground Is large and most beautiful picture Of the Head
of the Amazon, painted by Russell smith Ia the eH-
tremc distance lofty mountain Next and approach
ing is deep rayne out OF which water falls over rocks
In slight cascade into lake. the waters OF which are
increased by springs from adjoining GINS. IRON ths
lake another cataract deseends when one Deh0ds te
river Itself approaching Bghs palms naI anI a1 m
in overhanging verdure Here the picture ends:
with IT, is dense of verdure occupying the whole
plane OF tho stage To form this display the
OF the city and vicinity generously have contributed
ne PrsTs1 esSsipe Chile Fine the Aloe or Century
Plant the Jsponica &c. interminged with wilderness
OF ferns and Sreepng plants and vines arranged
anon precpicos and depend over cliffs while out OF this
Yerdure issues stream OF real water and falling In
cascade. seems to DO a continuation or the
The address Of President King last evening was Of
marked interest The Society was founded IN 1927, and
philadelphia claims aud Justly Is entitled to the honor OF
having given the earliest and strongest impulses TO the
study aud practice Of the sciences Of Horuentnre ana
Botany in this county AS early as l25 Johl BSrtam
Of the Schuylki In i76s DR. Kuhn the first pro
lessor Of botany 1903 DR. Burton published tho st
GTo%den had an orchard Of 600 apple and the
year William Penn became interested IN me esaD-
greenhouses and here In 77i the great American Aloe
the Germantown turnpike. Very many gentlemen OF
wealth largely invested funds in horticultural pursuits,
Several other speakers followed the President, among
whom Theodore Cnyler. John Welsh, Caleb Cope,
and Prof Wood From the Professors remarks we con
cude there decline in the ancient spirit fora
botanic garden now does not exist In nor Is
20 be found in almost all other parts OF the world and
the Society cooperate with other scientific organizations
10 the end that this reproach speedily may be removed
Not only do the citizens generally turn out 10 Vlst TINS
exhibition but there are visitors from abroad some even
st. Louis Aside from this OCCASION the city ltse1
aDdsone ladies' and good butter and the stranger who
has taste OF tho one and wow OF the olner VIII "see
The opening Of this hall will give new new imPa,e mp ot 70
general cultivation OF fruits and flowers everywhere s
realized by the enlightened philosopher patriot ana
das connected with these pursuits Vice and secret
enortes arc spreading land 70 an extent IN
Sspgcted by the casual observer, and IL Is OF gieat
Importance that young mems minds be drected& & dnio
channes which will lead to high thoughts AS sinlpSS
6ueston Of the supply Of food and Ia connection WIN
the health of people, the subject is OF no secondary
Importance. ., ..o,t. ty ,oon
Hitherto horticulture has been pursued mostly ny % nvn
Of wealth and leisure. Only to limited eAtehL dan
men OF small n cans except laborers and mana
era and these mainly foreigners were Interested III p.
within very few years the Held mas DeSh Gntoari 4
poor but intelligent and industrious men no on5el &
thought necessary that one must be rich oelole ne -,
hecoine tho owner OF q flower garden ana Orcharu VI
choice fruit This is OF the most encouraging signs Vi
the times spell seems TO have broken -
To show how much an individual without means, huu
with only energy and love for the Calling can n
I will give YOU a short history OF Thomas meebai Oniy
few years ago he simple unedncatea gsraeleer e ~ ~
England on coming to this country he went 70 worh a.
a Iaborer and at the time 20 get an educalion,
ESPECIALLY one connected with horticulture snceeeang
in tbs he established nursery at GermantOwn, III part
nershp with another person. they pro.pereu anu on
ther dasolyinQ Mr. Mehan succeeded 10 the proprietor
aim MEANWHILE no became editor OF Ihe GaTdehel.s
MeatbIg and still Is its editor He married DonRnI more
isnd anI established another nursery he - MS oWtt
rre1,an aud book keeper spends some time each day n
manual labor. and thus furnishes of1sh' cA"npo '
4 youth,