This section is from "The Horticulturist, And Journal Of Rural Art And Rural Taste", by P. Barry, A. J. Downing, J. Jay Smith, Peter B. Mead, F. W. Woodward, Henry T. Williams. Also available from Amazon: Horticulturist and Journal of Rural Art and Rural Taste.
This title belongs pre-eminently to our friend, Mayor Van Vorst, of Jersey City. Not that he grows Orchids alone; for he has at this moment in bloom the best collection of Azaleas that we have ever seen under one roof, each plant a specimen; he has also a rare collection of ornamental leaved plants,beaides Camellias, Rhododendrons, (Sikkim) Epacris, Palms, Ferns, and individual plants not often seen any where; but Orchids are his forte, and of these he has an unrivalled collection in the best possible condition. "What is infinitely to his credit, he takes the pride of a true amateur in showing them. Any of our readers who wish to see these remarkable productions of nature, will be sure of a courteous reception. As often as we have seen them, we never weary of admiring their grotesque but beautiful forms. Mr. Van Vorst has recently added a number of new and rare specimens to his collection; he seeks for them as a man seeks for hidden treasure, but with much better success. Almost any man can be a Mayor, (provided he is elected,) but very few can become accomplished Orchidists. With such a collection of plants, and such a gardener as Mr. Fleming, the Mayor is warranted in considering himself a happy man; we hope he is fully so.
 
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