That flower-shows should be held in the Flowery Land may be taken as an axiom, and we believe that erewhile some such exhibitions have been attempted within native precincts, We are glad to be enabled to ask attention to a proposition that at about the end of May next, there shall be held on the Recreation Ground, an bition of fruits, flowers, and vogetables, An influential committes, consisting of Movsrs, W.H. Medhurat, H.B.M. Consul; W. V. Drummond, T. R, Wheelock, and E, Endicott, has already been formed for the purpose of giving it dueinitiation. The last named gentleman has consented to act as honorary secretary, and it is ain-cerely to be hoped for several reasons that their excellent design may be effectively carried out. Few studies are more refining and elevating in their influences than that of floriculture—a simple pleasure, that carries with it more of the rudiments of civilization than many of those coming within the general terms of Art and Science. Flowers, beautiful in themselves, appeal silently but irresistibly to the better side of human nature, and neither barbarian nor civilized can resist their influences. To excite emulation, therefore, in the cultivation of these great, though long unrecognized, helps to humanity, is to do good work; and this sentiment has of recent years been so well acknowledged at home, that, in addition to the periodical exhibitions held in rural villages and towns, or under the marquees of the more pretentious County shows, or, chief of all, in that modern Eden, the South Kensington Gardens, it has spread so: widely throughout the whole country, that even in large manufacturing cities and towns—in the close and dingy streets of the great metropolis itself—in localities where the sun never seems to shine bril-hantly, and in many scarcely at all, window-gardening, for sheer want of garden plots, has become the rage, and prizes are offered and won for the best specimens of flowers ao cultivated! It is gratifying to find that efforts are being made to give an impetus to so delightful source of recreation in this far-distant Settlement—a means of recreation, too, in which Indies can, and no doubt will, take a personal and active interest. But it is not only asa source of pleasure that the proposal should be regarded. We have already alluded to the humanizing influences of floriculture among people at home, and there is yet another reason for helping to bring the project hi fore the community of Shanghai, and that is, the certainty that the formation of a Floral Society, and the holding of a couple of shows each year, would have a further influence, in promoting the introduction, and probable acclimatization in China, of some of the chief glories of our Western parterres, Navigators and travellers, as well as others, have nearly always kept this end in view, and without their forethought and enlightenment, where would have been those floral beauties at home?
Horticulture generally will be benefited by such exhibitions; and by attention, it is not improbable that even the worthless apples and pears of China might be made to rival the Nonpareils, Blenheims, and Windaors of home. It has not yet been publicly stated whether, in any of the classes, Chinese will be asked to exhibit but they are a ready people, and would no doubt seize the idea with the same avidity and intelligence which fille many of the cottagers' shows at home with the choicest specimens of garden and orchard produce. At all events, it is a hint possibly of some value, and if adopted, it would also prove a means of exciting more than curiosity in the Celestial mind. In respect to vegetables, they have already shown their ability to cultivate to a eon-siderable degree of perfection, and they would follow quickly with flowers and fruits. We hope soon to hear that Mr, Endicott is receiving assurances of the ultimate success of this excellent proposal.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.