The few still remaining of the older race of florists in the United States will learn with great regret of the death of James Ritchie, which occurred March IIith, from suffocation with coal gas, coming from the heater through the register. He had reached his 77th year, and was still hale and hearty, having been but a short time before with the writer in the City Council Chamber, in which he also had served six years.

He came to America in early life from Scotland, and after a short time in Philadelphia, he started in partnership with Mr. John Dick (who had married his sister), in the florist business at Kensington, when in his 28th year. The firm of Ritchie & Dick was a very successful one, and in some articles, especially in camellias, roses, and azaleas, obtained a reputation all over the world. About twenty-five years ago, having a competency that satisfied him, while his partner was still anxious to push things, the firm dissolved, taking the unique and friendly way of dividing the plants into two lots of as nearly equal value as possible, by one taking what he thought the best plant, the other the next best, and so on till the whole was divided. Mr. Dick established himself in Kingsessing; Mr. Ritchie continuing in Kensington, but confining himself to little more than cut flowers. In this he may be said to have been one of the leading pioneers in a trade that has since reached enormous dimensions in Philadelphia. His work was so tasteful as to be always in demand. He was among the leading members of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society in its palmy days, and continued his interest through all its days of trouble and disaster, down to the day of his death.

He was one of the original contributors to the fund for building the famous Horticultural Hall.

The first articles that appeared in our magazine on steam heating, were from his pen, and much of the wonderful progress made in this department is the result of the interest his papers excited.