The death of the principal owner of the Allan line of steamers reminds us that horticulture, as well as business enterprise, loses a zealous patron. His residence at Montreal was one of the beauty spots of the Dominion, while the more extensive grounds on Lake Memphrema-gog furnished a specimen of excellent taste in landscape gardening as adapted to wild lake scenery.

The Montreal suburban residence is apparently on about ten acres of ground, and the building is a model of elegance and taste in the hands of abundant wealth. The walled:in kitchen and fruit garden abounds in the best kinds of fruits, and along the most protected sides are extensive ranges of glass, in which peaches, grapes and other fruits are raised to great perfection. The several planthouses are connected with the "ball room" front of the dwelling-house, though they extend away a long distance from the dwelling, and in the main appear as distinct structures. New and rare plants are added as they appear, though majestic specimens of the older and valuable species have their honored places. Perhaps the point of excellence which has made the most lasting impression on the writer of this, who made a hasty call in September last, was the perfect neatness and cleanliness which pervaded every part of the grounds. Not a dead leaf, rotten branch or weed was to be seen anywhere. To our mind there is nothing tests the ability of a gardener as this. The general rule is for places like this to be laid out, with work enough for a dozen men to keep in order, but which the proprietor who never thought of this at the outset, insists must be kept up by half or less.

Even when enough to do justice to a large place is allowed, the gardener too often falls into slovenly ways. By this test we should regard Mr. Dunbar, Sir H. Allan's gardener, as among the head of the class.