The publisher has noticed, the present season, that unusual numbers of the Horticulturist have been included in the lists of premiums to be given at fairs; and especially notes those offered by the Summit County (Ohio) Agricultural Society, which holds its exhibition at Akron, on the 7th, 8th, and 9th of October next, as contained in the list advertised in the Beacon, of that place.

These, among numerous others, are pleasant acknowledgments of the estimation in which the work is held - flattering not only to its conductor, but evidences of the growing cultivation which is going on among us. The Horticulturist was the first to take upon itself the topics of rural life to the exclusion of politics and literature. It was a very doubtful experiment, and never more than partially succeeded, for the want of an audience sufficiently large to make it much of an object for any publisher to give it exclusive attention. It had and has, however, a certain popularity, which has clung to it through its whole career; but that it is not adapted to the wants of the masses, is proved by its gradual introduction. To the many its topics are sealed books, and might as well be addressed to the blind, simply because they are not practised by the many. The products of the garden and orchard, it is true, are in every one's affections, but the delights attending their success are unknown to most who partake of their benefits.

There has, however, grown up in almost every county and village, a practical person or two who is studying with success those branches which we love to dwell upon, and who are anxious to receive the newest and the best information that is abroad; they continue to look to the various correspondents of the Horticulturist for this knowledge, and we believe they are not disappointed.

But, meantime, this partial introduction of our topics to popular comprehension, has induced numerous journals all over the land to incorporate horticultural information in their varied columns, till there is an amount of instruction abroad in the land that is perfectly bewildering, at the same time that it is useful in many instances. While this competition is discouraging to a publisher whose work leaves no field of knowledge ungleaned, it must be admitted that it gives him enoouragement to believe the duty he is engaged in has made its mark, and that many others are on the track laid by the efforts of his predecessors; and when such evidences as the premiums offered by the Summit County Society meet his eye, he feels fully rewarded by the acknowledgment of the utility of the journal. But it should also be remembered, that the Horticulturist, from the exertions of its writers to make it useful, has gone over long since most of the topics now discussed in contemporary periodicals, and is endeavoring to make an Impression for an onward progress.

It purports to be an original work, not made by the scissors - set-up by the printer almost entirely from manuscript, the amount of which, when it is spread out, would astonish those who read it carelessly, or have never compared this feature with those differently conducted; it purports, moreover, to be in advance, and is careful, while it is readable to all, not to write down to the intelligence which has but just waked up to its subjects. It is, in short, addressed to the class which has made some progress, and is anxious for more knowledge.

For this end every available source is sought out, and it will be found that topics discussed in these pages are sometimes those which are taken up by others long thereafter.

We make no complaint of want of public patronage; our snug little parish of annual listeners continues from year to year, with additions slow, but sure, and is composed of appreciative hearers.

We have written a long homily, when a paragraph only was intended, to thank the Akron Committee, and to state what many of the older subscribers and readers will fully substantiate.

The Philadelphia Park; - The appeal to our fellow-citizens for money to purchase additional ground for a park on the Schuylkill, has been entirely successful. Future generations will have cause to thank the originators of the plan, who perseveringly carried the measure, collected the money during the winter, when snow and ice were poor accompaniments of out-door labor, and presented the ground adjoining Lemon Hill, already the property of the city, to our Councils. The gentlemen to whom we are indebted for this great good, should long live in the memory of their townsmen. Their names are James H. Castle and C. W. Keyser, Esqs. Under discouragements which would have appalled most, they persevered in their laudable exertions, encountering objections, and subduing difficulties that can scarcely be understood, except by persons who have tried to do their fellow-men a service by anticipating their future wants. Long may they live to enjoy the results of their unselfish sacrifice of time, mind, and labor.

Some fitting memento they eminently deserve.

Our Councils will now, beyond question, make a moderate annual provision for the im-provement of the ground, so that the present generation may see its extraordinary adaptation to their health and pleasure.- Philadelphia has now over two hundred acres in public parks.

The Premiums #1

The premium for the best collection of twenty plants was awarded to Mark Hill, gardener to Mr. Baldwin; the best, restricted to private growers, to James Pollock, gardener to Mr. J. Dundas; and the best collection of twelve plants to C. O'Brien, gardener to the President, Gen. Patterson. Mr. Felton, as usual, had a great display of vegetables, but for once the first premium was carried off by James Jones, gardener to Girard College. The first prize for twenty cut roses was awarded to R. Buist, who presented many novelties, as also did Mr. Dreer, who obtained the second. A. Frazer, gardener to D. Rodney King, exhibited an ornamental aquarium, very well got up, and also a large collection of dried green-house plants. Jerome Graff, gardener to Mr. Stuart, late Mr. Cope's, was again on hand with beautiful blooms of Nelumbrium speciosum, and a fine flower of the Victoria regia.

J. S. Levering's grapes in pots took the prize, though those from D. Ferguson were little inferior, and a great acquisition to the rooms. Neither the Diana nor Rebecca grapes made their appearance. Robert Cornelius received a premium for the Concord, which is said to ripen earlier; but with its strong foxy flavor it is inferior to the Isabella for those climates that will ripen the latter. The Northern Muscadine or well known red Fox grape, and the Charter Oak, might have staid at home. Mr. Isaac B. Baxter received the first prise for native grapes, among which was a seedling called "Penn," raised from the wild Frost grape, but with handsome bunches; also the "Ohio," differing little from the Frost. It is remarkable that the first and second premiums for peaches should have been both taken by seedlings; the first, to J. B. Baxter, was for a very large white variety. The great show of Stanwick Nectarines were from Mr. Stuart's, and took a first prize, as did R. Buist, for a collection of native pears - seventy-two kinds; the second to Mr. Parry. The heat native varieties, except Seckel, designated by premiums, were the Kings essing and'Washington, John Chambers carrying off the award for the best collection of foreign varieties; and to Mr. B. A. Viokey, that for the beat collection of apples; aeoond best to John Perkins, who produced a handsome seedling named Perkins.

Premiums #1

We perceive, by a local paper, that two of our friends and contributors have been carrying off the honors at the Clinton (New York) Agricultural Fair. The Rev. A. D. Gridley received a premium for Seckel Pears, for the best two varieties of grapes, and for the best and greatest variety raised in the open air. Prof. Edward North was likewise distinguished, by receiving premiums for the best six varieties of Fall Pears, and for the best Louise Bonne de Jersey. We like to record the success of our contributors, and in this case have a strong suspicion, not only that the recipients thought of their (acknowledged) tutor, the Horticulturist, but that the Professor would have taken a large addition of premiums, if his merit had not thrust upon him the duties of a judge! We shall expect, in a few years more, at least a basketful of delicacies from these rare amateurs!!

Premium #2

To any subscriber, old or new, enclosing his subscription of 92, between now and February 1st, and desiring Premium Package of Flower Seeds of the Diadem Pink, the same will be given free on receipt of postage stamp.