891. Gardening in Canada is at present comparatively in its infancy. Mr. Gordon, in his remarks on this country, observes that the cause of this is obvious. 'The duties imposed on settlers in a new country are very multifarious; and absolute necessaries must naturally give precedence to every other consideration. The clearing of lands occupies considerable time ; and, even when there is latent taste for the art, gardening will naturally be nearly, if not entirely, neglected, except so far as its productions are subservient to some useful purpose. But when the harassing fatigues of a new settlement are, in some measure, overcome, then the man of refined taste will follow the natural bent of his inclinations; and, in the soil where grew the sturdy oak, there the fragrant rose, the gay lily, and the showy tulip will display their beauties, or exhale their fragrance around. The former wilds will display the ornamented parterres, and the corduroy roads must yield to gravel walks.'
