David
Landreth the younger, was born in 1802 and took
over from his father this thriving seed and nursery
business which continued for 50 years. He also took an
active part in horticultural matters and became one of
the founders and officers of the Pennsylvania
Horticultural Society. He eventually became president
of the Philadelphia Society for the Promotion of
Agriculture and was vice president of the United
States Agricultural Society.
He started publication of the Floral
Magazine and Botanical Repository in 1832.
This magazine contained colored plates of ornamental
plants and the entire work except the illustration was
carried out by the two Landreths. It apparently was
not financially successful and was discontinued after
a few years. He was a good writer and contributed his
views to the development of American horticulture.
He edited an American edition of George W.
Johnson's A Dictionary of Modern Gardening
which was published in Philadelphia in 1847.
In 1847 the firm moved to Bloomsdale, Bristol,
Pennsylvania. There Landreth established what has been
stated to be at that time the most complete seed-farm
in America. He planted an arboretum where for years
was unequaled in the planting and care of trees.
Undoubtedly the Landreth name justifies itself as that
of one of the outstanding nurseries ever developed in
this country.
