In the year of our redemption '83, when flowers which owe their birth to genial May were freely blooming in their native habitats, I started from Mount Holly, to see all I could of them, between there and Jobstown. In her spring attire nature seemed gay and beautiful on every side, for look where I would, while passing along through leafy groves or open glades, her smiling vernal charms graced the changing scene. Again, through other approaches to that rural spot, in company with an esteemed friend, I found myself in the middle of cold January, in Mr. Lorillard's famous gardens. But no sound of murmuring streams, rippling rill, or the cheery voice of feathered songster salutes the ear. No sight of living leaf or fragrant flower, greets the eye, or olfactories, on this occasion. Implacable, chilly old "winter in his roughest mood," was blowing his icy breath in piercing blast, to the great discomfort of man and beast exposed to the frigid breeze that blew bitter and chill. While the blustering wind howled and whistled among the bare limbs of the fruit trees near by, we hurriedly crossed the frost line by stepping over the threshold of one of the inviting glass structures before us, and in a moment felt the pleasant warmth of a sunnier clime.

Marvellous indeed, seemed the sudden change of temperature, from one side of the door to the other, where large handsome red-ripe tomatoes, hung in heavy clusters overhead and on all sides of the first house we entered. And as the assistant gardeners were in the act of gathering them, I could say with Milton, " I saw them under a green mantling vine, Gathering ripe clusters from the tender shoots".

From two similar sized houses, each of fifty feet in length, two hundred and ten pounds of perfectly formed, well ripened tomatoes had been picked during the previous fifteen days. And from the vigorous appearance of the plants, even a larger quantity might apparently be had in the next fifteen days. And thus in succession until those out of doors, later on, come into bearing, an abundance will be produced to amply supply the daily demand.

The next division door opens into a house of ripe strawberries - the second crop of the season - from which several hundred exhausted plants of an earlier forcing had been removed to admit an equal number of others to succeed them, and which bore evidence of successful culture. A hive of busy bees placed inside the hothouse to assist in the fecundation of the early blossoms, were enjoying a premature summer as they diligently buzzed about from flower to flower in search of nectar. A square of glass had been removed from each partition to allow the apiarian throng to pass in and out from house to house in " the pursuit of life, health and happiness".

Simple as it may appear at first sight, the particular instance alluded to, as did many others, showed the wisdom and practical professional knowledge of the courteous and intelligent manager, Mr. John Gardener, who deserves great credit for the satisfactory results so pleasing to behold. Then there were other houses of them in various stages of growth, from the first indication that vegetable action had commenced, to the blossoming and fruit-forming period. These would be subject to the same course of treatment the others had previously gone through. Seth Boyden Mr. Gardener considers the best kind for early forcing; the blossoms of which stand well up above the leaves, which renders them the less liable to damp off during the dull and unfavorable weather when the bright face of old Sol is often obscured.

A goodly number of pots of thrifty-looking Sion House bush or snap beans were bearing an excellent crop. The same might be said of the American Wonder peas from which, like the beans, fair quantities had been picked for a length of time. On Christmas day Early Rose potatoes of good quality were dug for use, which, together with many other kinds of culinary vegetables, were successfully forced for the festive occasion.

Fine tender looking asparagus, sufficient to supply, one would suppose, every family in the village, had been freely cut every day since December. Of Cauliflowers, Early Horn Carrots, Lettuce, Radishes, etc., immense quantities are produced under glass, while Mushrooms and Sea Kale vegetate in dark cellars specially constructed for them.

A promising house of grape vines was showing an abundance of incipient bunches, which proper attention will fully develop into fine ripe clusters in due season. Then three houses of the same dimensions, namely fifty feet each, were devoted to peaches and nectarines, the trees skillfully pruned and trained to radiate in fan-fashion to stout wire trellises near the sashes. Several of these symmetrically formed trees were profusely covered with pretty pink blossoms, than which scarcely any known tree or shrub can surpass in beauty. And it is doubtful if any other fruit is more luscious than the choice kinds of well ripened peaches and nectarines - the latter, especially, when grown under glass. Every body appreciates them who has enjoyed the privilege of tasting them, and why this really delicious fruit is so seldom seen in the forcing house, seems incomprehensible to the writer. Early Rivers is the first to ripen, and is followed by Early Louise, while other approved kinds come on consecutively, with the greatest regularity, as long as the season lasts. Although the first named one is an excellent variety for forcing, its character for keeping is not the best, as, unfortunately, it soon begins to decay after ripening.

Another house in this long range - upwards of five hundred feet - is, at the proper time, to be planted with nectarines, the early fruit of which the proprietor has a decided taste for.

Continuing on from one compartment to another, we enter one filled with the most popular kinds of Tea roses, grown in pots, from which an immense quantity of splendid flowers had been continuously cut during the last three years, without once allowing them to rest from their floriferous labors. To be constantly in bloom seems the natural propensity of many kinds of Tea roses; and if the same vigorous appearance can be maintained that they had at the time of my visit, I should judge they will never tire of well doing.

The glory had departed from the first lot of Hybrid Perpetual roses, (very strong plants, indeed) which had had their day earlier on. But others were steadily advancing to replace them, "in the good time coming." Mr. Gardener considers Magna Charta is one of the best varieties for forcing, and for that purpose grows it largely.

Without specifying each particular species of plant grown for bouquets and decorative uses, which would occupy too much space in these columns, I will briefly call attention to a few of the principal kinds, most highly esteemed by Mr. Lor-illard and his family. Conspicuous among them are several hundred Gardenias, better known as Cape Jasmines, and which in every respect are worthy of first mention. A better-looking lot of good-sized, clean, handsome, healthy plants, I never saw in my long acquaintance with them. This very popular evergreen shrub when covered with a profusion of immaculate fragrant flowers is absolutely an object of exquisite beauty. The generic name, Gardenia, was given to the first one which arrived from China, in 1754, in honor of Dr. Alexander Garden, of Charleston, S. C, whose botanical knowledge brought him into correspondence with the celebrated Linnaeus. There are some forty species in cultivation, most of which are natives of China, Sierra Leone, or the East Indies; and many of the pale yellow, or spotless white flowers they produce are exceedingly fragrant, while all are decidedly beautiful.

Sweet Orchids, Hyacinths, Stephanotis, Carnations, Richardias, Lily of the Valley, Heliotrope, etc., with Lilacs, Viburnums, Spiraea, Deutzia and other useful things, too numerous to mention, were there.

Among so much floral grandeur and delightful aroma, I feel constrained to notice in particular a pretty, modest-looking, little Australian plant, Boronia megastigma, which, if possible, is even more delicately odoriferous than its lovely sister, B. serrulata. In fact, two more interesting, or charming greenhouse plants are seldom, if ever seen, in any collection.

Among a splendid group of attractive Amaryllis, I observed the imperious and beautiful Cleopatra, splendid Perfecta marginata, unrivalled Unique, brilliant Coccinea, handsome and grand Nobilis, lovely Syrene, and sanguinary Macbeth, were some of the most magnificent kinds.

The patient and intelligent reader who knows whereof I write, will perceive, from the few species alluded to, what a rare combination of beauteous forms unite with the most subtile and exquisite perfume imaginable, to gratify the most fastidious and refined taste possible, kind Providence has provided for our enjoyment. And while feeling thankful for every blessing received, will frankly admit that this fair and flowery world of ours is not the dismal vale of tears the poor, unhappy hypochondriac would fain make us believe.

Mount Holly, N. J.