Twinleaf - Revision history

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Bcraig — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:43:06 GMT

Bcraig at 18:43, 12 November 2008

Bcraig — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:43:51 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 12 November 2008
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	Benjamin Smith Barton was perhaps Jefferson's greatest hope for leading the American team to eminence. The plant he had rescued from the wrong genus is what we know as twinleaf, a spring-blooming perennial of the woodlands of eastern North America. It entered scientific literature in 1753, when Linnaeus assigned it to the genus ''Podophyllum'' in his Species Plantarum. This work became our starting point for the naming of plants by introducing the binomial system which substituted two Latin names for the cumbersome Latin descriptions then current. Linnaeus likened his improvement to "putting the clapper in the bell" and sixty years later Jefferson was grateful. In 1814 he wrote that, "fortunately for science," Linnaeus had brought order out of chaos by providing a "universal language" for naming and classifying nature's productions.		Benjamin Smith Barton was perhaps Jefferson's greatest hope for leading the American team to eminence. The plant he had rescued from the wrong genus is what we know as twinleaf, a spring-blooming perennial of the woodlands of eastern North America. It entered scientific literature in 1753, when Linnaeus assigned it to the genus ''Podophyllum'' in his Species Plantarum. This work became our starting point for the naming of plants by introducing the binomial system which substituted two Latin names for the cumbersome Latin descriptions then current. Linnaeus likened his improvement to "putting the clapper in the bell" and sixty years later Jefferson was grateful. In 1814 he wrote that, "fortunately for science," Linnaeus had brought order out of chaos by providing a "universal language" for naming and classifying nature's productions.

-	Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his ''Notes on the State of Virginia.'' The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in [[Philadelphia]] in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and William Bartram, who "together" made the first drawings of it.	+	Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his ''Notes on the State of Virginia.'' The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in [[Philadelphia]] in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and [[William Bartram]], who "together" made the first drawings of it.

	Soon ''Jeffersonia'' became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as [[Margaret Bayard Smith]] recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."		Soon ''Jeffersonia'' became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as [[Margaret Bayard Smith]] recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."

Bcraig at 19:17, 4 November 2008

Bcraig — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:17:53 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:17, 4 November 2008
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	[[Image:twinleaf.jpg\|right]]		[[Image:twinleaf.jpg\|right]]

-	'''Twinleaf''' or ''jeffersonia diphylla'' is a native North American wildflower named after [[Thomas Jefferson]].	+	'''Common Name:''' Twinleaf<ref>This section is based on Peggy Cornett, CHP Information Sheet.</ref>

-	This perennial is a member of the ''Berberidaceae'' (Barberry) family, and it grows in rich, damp, open woods located in Southeastern Canada and New York, southward to Georgia and Alabama, and northwest to Iowa and Minnesota. The flowers are white, large, with 8 petals and are borne on stalks separate from the leaves. The leaves are ovate with a deep cleft from the top of the leaf and another from the base of the leaf, nearly dividing the leaf into two parts. Plant 8 to 10 inches in height.	+	'''Scientific Name:''' ''Jeffersonia diphylla''
		+
		+	'''Description:''' Hardy, North American perennial; Small white flowers resembling those of bloodroot appear on stems in early spring before the leaves expand; Unusual lidded seedpods mature in early summer; Plants often go completely dormant in summer
		+
		+	'''Size:''' Grows to 10 inches high and 12 inches wide
		+
		+	'''Cultural Information:''' Prefers shade and woodsy, moderately moist soils
		+
		+	'''USDA Zones:''' 6 through 8
		+
		+	'''Historical Notes:''' This rare and desirable native woodland perennial was named to honor [[Thomas Jefferson]] in 1792 by the “Father of American Botany,” Benjamin Smith Barton. Jefferson grew the plant at Monticello in one of the oval flowerbeds in 1807.<ref>[[Short Title List\|Betts, ''Garden Book'']], 335.</ref> The attractive flowers last only a few days, often appearing about the time of Jefferson’s April 13th birthday. Twinleaf is well worth growing for its lush green foliage, which makes a beautiful groundcover for a shaded site. It is easy to grow, but is very slow to propagate and takes 5 to 8 years to bloom from seed. The CHP plants are nursery-propagated plants.

	==Jefferson's Namesake==		==Jefferson's Namesake==
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	Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his ''Notes on the State of Virginia.'' The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in [[Philadelphia]] in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and William Bartram, who "together" made the first drawings of it.		Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his ''Notes on the State of Virginia.'' The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in [[Philadelphia]] in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and William Bartram, who "together" made the first drawings of it.

-	Soon ''Jeffersonia'' became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as Margaret Bayard Smith recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."	+	Soon ''Jeffersonia'' became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as [[Margaret Bayard Smith]] recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."

	Passing through the Blue Ridge at Harper's Ferry in July, Barton saw "immense quantities" of twinleaf, past flowering, but could not find "even a single seed-vessel." He carried with him Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, which contained a highly charged account of the meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers at this spot. Barton confided to his journal that what Jefferson called "one of the most stupendous scenes in nature" did not equal his expectations.		Passing through the Blue Ridge at Harper's Ferry in July, Barton saw "immense quantities" of twinleaf, past flowering, but could not find "even a single seed-vessel." He carried with him Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, which contained a highly charged account of the meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers at this spot. Barton confided to his journal that what Jefferson called "one of the most stupendous scenes in nature" did not equal his expectations.
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	John Brickell of Georgia tried in 1798 to apply the name ''Jeffersonia'' to the Carolina jessamine (now ''Gelsemium sempervirens''), "in compliment" to the man "who, to his immense stores of other knowledge, has added the science of Botany."		John Brickell of Georgia tried in 1798 to apply the name ''Jeffersonia'' to the Carolina jessamine (now ''Gelsemium sempervirens''), "in compliment" to the man "who, to his immense stores of other knowledge, has added the science of Botany."

-	By Jefferson's retirement from politics, ''Jeffersonia'' had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of ''Jeffersonia'' to give to Jefferson's daughter [[Martha Jefferson Randolph\|Martha]], because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."	+	By Jefferson's retirement from politics, ''Jeffersonia'' had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of ''Jeffersonia'' to give to Jefferson's daughter [[Martha Jefferson Randolph\|Martha]], because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."<ref>18 August 1817. [[Short Title List\|Betts, ''Garden Book'']], 574.</ref>

	Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." [[Samuel Mitchill]] had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of [[Paris]], he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."		Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." [[Samuel Mitchill]] had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of [[Paris]], he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."
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	And until almost the last day of his life he tried to pass his enthusiasm for natural history on to a younger generation. He worked to ensure the inclusion of botany, one of "the most valuable sciences," in the curriculum of the University of Virginia. It was time for the young to pursue his former passions. In 1822 Jefferson wrote to the discoverer of a new mineral, Jeffersonite. Thanking him for "the honor done my name by the appellation given it," he concluded that although "age and a decayed memory" had weakened his attention to the natural sciences, "nothing can ever weaken my affection to them, and the pleasure with which I observe so many of my young countrymen pursuing them with an ardor and success equally honorable to themselves and our country."		And until almost the last day of his life he tried to pass his enthusiasm for natural history on to a younger generation. He worked to ensure the inclusion of botany, one of "the most valuable sciences," in the curriculum of the University of Virginia. It was time for the young to pursue his former passions. In 1822 Jefferson wrote to the discoverer of a new mineral, Jeffersonite. Thanking him for "the honor done my name by the appellation given it," he concluded that although "age and a decayed memory" had weakened his attention to the natural sciences, "nothing can ever weaken my affection to them, and the pleasure with which I observe so many of my young countrymen pursuing them with an ardor and success equally honorable to themselves and our country."

-	==References==	+	==Primary Source References<ref>Please note that this list should not be considered comprehensive.</ref>==
		+
		+	'''1807 November 9.''' ([[Ann Cary Randolph Bankhead]] to Jefferson). "I left Monticello they had increased so much as to fill the beds quite full...Jeffersonia...failed..."<ref>[[Short Title List\|Betts, ''Garden Book'']], 352-353.</ref>
		+
		+	==Footnotes==
	<references/>		<references/>

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	*[http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants]		*[http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants]

-	[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]	+	[[Category:Native Herbaceous]]

Bcraig at 19:27, 13 October 2008

Bcraig — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:27:40 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 13 October 2008
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	In this spring of 1792 Jefferson was abused as well as honored for his interest in natural history. In April he had been the target of the first round fired in the partisan pamphlet wars. Massachusettensis (now thought to be British consul Sir John Temple), after attacking Jefferson as the intriguing "tool of a party," called for his "speedy retreat" to Monticello. There he could "range the fields of science, and the natural history of his country" without doing lasting harm to the nation. Jefferson's response was predictable: "However ardently my retirement to my own home and my own affairs, may be wished for by others as the author says, there is no one of them who feels the wish once where I do a thousand times."		In this spring of 1792 Jefferson was abused as well as honored for his interest in natural history. In April he had been the target of the first round fired in the partisan pamphlet wars. Massachusettensis (now thought to be British consul Sir John Temple), after attacking Jefferson as the intriguing "tool of a party," called for his "speedy retreat" to Monticello. There he could "range the fields of science, and the natural history of his country" without doing lasting harm to the nation. Jefferson's response was predictable: "However ardently my retirement to my own home and my own affairs, may be wished for by others as the author says, there is no one of them who feels the wish once where I do a thousand times."

-	His letters in this year are full of laments about being "shut up drudging within four walls" in Philadelphia and longing for the "tranquil" occupations of the fields and gardens at Monticello. And beyond Monticello was a whole unexplored continent to be studied--"What a feild have we at our doors to signalize ourselves in!" Having chosen the path of public leadership, Jefferson had to remain on the sidelines, cheering on American naturalists to their goal of revealing to the world the rich flora and fauna of the young nation.	+	His letters in this year are full of laments about being "shut up drudging within four walls" in [[Philadelphia]] and longing for the "tranquil" occupations of the fields and gardens at Monticello. And beyond Monticello was a whole unexplored continent to be studied--"What a feild have we at our doors to signalize ourselves in!" Having chosen the path of public leadership, Jefferson had to remain on the sidelines, cheering on American naturalists to their goal of revealing to the world the rich flora and fauna of the young nation.

	Benjamin Smith Barton was perhaps Jefferson's greatest hope for leading the American team to eminence. The plant he had rescued from the wrong genus is what we know as twinleaf, a spring-blooming perennial of the woodlands of eastern North America. It entered scientific literature in 1753, when Linnaeus assigned it to the genus ''Podophyllum'' in his Species Plantarum. This work became our starting point for the naming of plants by introducing the binomial system which substituted two Latin names for the cumbersome Latin descriptions then current. Linnaeus likened his improvement to "putting the clapper in the bell" and sixty years later Jefferson was grateful. In 1814 he wrote that, "fortunately for science," Linnaeus had brought order out of chaos by providing a "universal language" for naming and classifying nature's productions.		Benjamin Smith Barton was perhaps Jefferson's greatest hope for leading the American team to eminence. The plant he had rescued from the wrong genus is what we know as twinleaf, a spring-blooming perennial of the woodlands of eastern North America. It entered scientific literature in 1753, when Linnaeus assigned it to the genus ''Podophyllum'' in his Species Plantarum. This work became our starting point for the naming of plants by introducing the binomial system which substituted two Latin names for the cumbersome Latin descriptions then current. Linnaeus likened his improvement to "putting the clapper in the bell" and sixty years later Jefferson was grateful. In 1814 he wrote that, "fortunately for science," Linnaeus had brought order out of chaos by providing a "universal language" for naming and classifying nature's productions.

-	Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his ''Notes on the State of Virginia.'' The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in Philadelphia in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and William Bartram, who "together" made the first drawings of it.	+	Linnaeus had made his identification of twinleaf from a non-flowering specimen sent to him by a Virginian, John Clayton. Jefferson called the clerk of Gloucester County "our great botanist," and used the Flora Virginica, a compendium of Clayton's discoveries, when preparing the plant lists for his ''Notes on the State of Virginia.'' The first twinleaf to bloom before the eyes of botanists was collected in Virginia' Blue Ridge Mountains by Andre Michaux. Michaux's root first flowered in Bartram's Garden in [[Philadelphia]] in the spring of 1791 and was observed by Dr. Barton and William Bartram, who "together" made the first drawings of it.

	Soon ''Jeffersonia'' became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as Margaret Bayard Smith recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."		Soon ''Jeffersonia'' became a feature of the gardens of Philadelphians, presumably those with republican leanings, but its namesake may never have seen it in the wild. Barton first saw it in its natural habitat at a site Jefferson had visited too late in the season. In 1802 Jefferson was living in "splendid misery" in the executive mansion and Barton was planning a botanising tour into the southern mountains. "I really envy your journey," wrote the President, "but I am a prisoner of state." He had to content himself with solitary rides out of Washington, during which, as Margaret Bayard Smith recalled, he would dismount "to climb rocks, or wade through swamps to obtain any plant he discovered or desired."

Bcraig at 18:47, 8 October 2008

Bcraig — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:47:07 GMT

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:47, 8 October 2008
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	By Jefferson's retirement from politics, ''Jeffersonia'' had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of ''Jeffersonia'' to give to Jefferson's daughter [[Martha Jefferson Randolph\|Martha]], because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."		By Jefferson's retirement from politics, ''Jeffersonia'' had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of ''Jeffersonia'' to give to Jefferson's daughter [[Martha Jefferson Randolph\|Martha]], because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."

-	Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." [[Samuel Mitchill]] had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of Paris, he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."	+	Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." [[Samuel Mitchill]] had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of [[Paris]], he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."

	Jefferson, in reply, regretted that he could not "join them physically on the occasion, but will certainly be with them in spirit. He will invite also some amateurs in natural science in his neighborhood to fraternize on the same day with their brethren of New York by corresponding libations to the great apostle of Nature." It is not known who shared the libations at Poplar Forest on the twenty-fourth--the last day of Jefferson's last visit.		Jefferson, in reply, regretted that he could not "join them physically on the occasion, but will certainly be with them in spirit. He will invite also some amateurs in natural science in his neighborhood to fraternize on the same day with their brethren of New York by corresponding libations to the great apostle of Nature." It is not known who shared the libations at Poplar Forest on the twenty-fourth--the last day of Jefferson's last visit.

Bcraig: Add Internal links

Bcraig — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:54:30 GMT

Add Internal links

←Older revision		Revision as of 18:54, 20 August 2008
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	Barton arrived at the author's house in August, crossing the Rivanna River at the [[Shadwell]] ford and noting plentiful pawpaw trees, some castor-bean plants, and "a good deal" of horsemint. His fascinating journal then proves a major disappointment to future historians. "Monticello," written with a flourish and twice underlined, is followed by "Monticello is the beautiful seat of Mr. Jefferson," and not a word more--the rest of the page is blank. He elsewhere recorded his host's comments on the elevation of Monticello, its soil, and the scarcity of insects and insect-eating birds there (hummingbirds, however, were common). The President also shared his opinion that the counties along the eastern side of the Blue Ridge were the "healthiest" part of the United States. He had been told by an officer of the U.S. Army that this area produced "the largest men" among its recruits. Jefferson and Thomas Mann Randolph, Barton's former schoolmate at the University of Edinburgh, also contributed to the journal their comments on local plants, like honey locust, strawberry bush, and umbrella magnolia.		Barton arrived at the author's house in August, crossing the Rivanna River at the [[Shadwell]] ford and noting plentiful pawpaw trees, some castor-bean plants, and "a good deal" of horsemint. His fascinating journal then proves a major disappointment to future historians. "Monticello," written with a flourish and twice underlined, is followed by "Monticello is the beautiful seat of Mr. Jefferson," and not a word more--the rest of the page is blank. He elsewhere recorded his host's comments on the elevation of Monticello, its soil, and the scarcity of insects and insect-eating birds there (hummingbirds, however, were common). The President also shared his opinion that the counties along the eastern side of the Blue Ridge were the "healthiest" part of the United States. He had been told by an officer of the U.S. Army that this area produced "the largest men" among its recruits. Jefferson and Thomas Mann Randolph, Barton's former schoolmate at the University of Edinburgh, also contributed to the journal their comments on local plants, like honey locust, strawberry bush, and umbrella magnolia.

-	When Barton passed through Harper's Ferry again on his way north, he "sought in vain" for ''Jeffersonia'', but found the scene far grander on a second inspection. The rocks were "indeed, stupendous," and had "an awful appearance." Perhaps Jefferson had responded to his initial disappointment with a story he had recently told another American botanist. When Samuel Latham Mitchill asked him for directions to the precise spot from which he had viewed the passage of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge, Jefferson replied that it was no longer there. During the [[John Adams\|Adams]] administration, a military expedition was mounted to blow up the projecting rock, "doubtless," as the shocked Mitchill wrote his wife, "with the intention of falsifying his account, and rendering it incredible by putting it out of the power of any subsequent traveller to behold the like from the same point of view. What shameful, what vandalic revenge is this!" Nevertheless, when Mitchill later visited the site, he too joined the many disappointed tourists whose expectations had been raised by Jefferson's description.	+	When Barton passed through Harper's Ferry again on his way north, he "sought in vain" for ''Jeffersonia'', but found the scene far grander on a second inspection. The rocks were "indeed, stupendous," and had "an awful appearance." Perhaps Jefferson had responded to his initial disappointment with a story he had recently told another American botanist. When [[Samuel Mitchill ]]asked him for directions to the precise spot from which he had viewed the passage of the Potomac through the Blue Ridge, Jefferson replied that it was no longer there. During the [[John Adams\|Adams]] administration, a military expedition was mounted to blow up the projecting rock, "doubtless," as the shocked [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] wrote his wife, "with the intention of falsifying his account, and rendering it incredible by putting it out of the power of any subsequent traveller to behold the like from the same point of view. What shameful, what vandalic revenge is this!" Nevertheless, when [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] later visited the site, he too joined the many disappointed tourists whose expectations had been raised by Jefferson's description.

-	In 1803 Mitchill wrote that "botanists consider it an honor of the highest kind to be immortalized by having their names given to plants." The international code of botanical nomenclature made this distinction impossible for the good doctor. He cheerfully told his wife that Willdenow had wished to name a new plant after him but "was prevented by finding that the name had been bestowed already" (Linneaus had called patridgeberry ''Mitchella repens'' after John Mitchell of Virginia). Barton's honor came in the shape of an obscure plant of undistinguished appearance--Bartonia. And the rules of precedence prevented Jefferson from being immortalized twice.	+	In 1803 [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] wrote that "botanists consider it an honor of the highest kind to be immortalized by having their names given to plants." The international code of botanical nomenclature made this distinction impossible for the good doctor. He cheerfully told his wife that Willdenow had wished to name a new plant after him but "was prevented by finding that the name had been bestowed already" (Linneaus had called patridgeberry ''Mitchella repens'' after John Mitchell of Virginia). Barton's honor came in the shape of an obscure plant of undistinguished appearance--Bartonia. And the rules of precedence prevented Jefferson from being immortalized twice.

	John Brickell of Georgia tried in 1798 to apply the name ''Jeffersonia'' to the Carolina jessamine (now ''Gelsemium sempervirens''), "in compliment" to the man "who, to his immense stores of other knowledge, has added the science of Botany."		John Brickell of Georgia tried in 1798 to apply the name ''Jeffersonia'' to the Carolina jessamine (now ''Gelsemium sempervirens''), "in compliment" to the man "who, to his immense stores of other knowledge, has added the science of Botany."
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	By Jefferson's retirement from politics, ''Jeffersonia'' had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of ''Jeffersonia'' to give to Jefferson's daughter [[Martha Jefferson Randolph\|Martha]], because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."		By Jefferson's retirement from politics, ''Jeffersonia'' had been introduced into English gardens by Scottish plant collector John Lyon and that Jeffersonian site--Harper's Ferry--was the home of the immigrants. On May 17, 1804, Lyon noted in his diary that he collected there "about 200 roots" of the twinleaf. Another plant enthusiast made a pilgrimage to the junction of the Potomac and the Shenandoah in 1817. A young Virginia lawyer, Francis Walker Gilmer, wrote to Jefferson of his journey to "Harper's Ferry, where all the regions of nature have conspired to do you honor." He gathered seeds of ''Jeffersonia'' to give to Jefferson's daughter [[Martha Jefferson Randolph\|Martha]], because "its name will I am sure recommend it to her piety."

-	Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." Samuel Latham Mitchill had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of Paris, he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. Mitchill intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."	+	Jefferson never returned to the Blue Ridge gap where he had seen the "monuments of a war between rivers and mountains" in 1783. He remained close to his gardens at Monticello and Poplar Forest and, in 1823, considered ways to honor the man who had helped to clarify the "order of nature" by "uniting all nations under one language in natural history." [[Samuel Mitchill]] had written suggesting that, as honorary members of the Linnean Society of Paris, he and Jefferson should simultaneously observe the birthday of Linnaeus on May 24th. [[Samuel Mitchill\|Mitchill]] intended to celebrate this "fete botanique" in "a becoming manner" at Prince's garden in Flushing. "We shall think of you on the occasion," he wrote, "since we feel an assurance that you will not disapprove an attempt to render science popular and attractive."

	Jefferson, in reply, regretted that he could not "join them physically on the occasion, but will certainly be with them in spirit. He will invite also some amateurs in natural science in his neighborhood to fraternize on the same day with their brethren of New York by corresponding libations to the great apostle of Nature." It is not known who shared the libations at Poplar Forest on the twenty-fourth--the last day of Jefferson's last visit.		Jefferson, in reply, regretted that he could not "join them physically on the occasion, but will certainly be with them in spirit. He will invite also some amateurs in natural science in his neighborhood to fraternize on the same day with their brethren of New York by corresponding libations to the great apostle of Nature." It is not known who shared the libations at Poplar Forest on the twenty-fourth--the last day of Jefferson's last visit.

JRobertson: /* Further Sources */

JRobertson — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:55:20 GMT

Further Sources

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:55, 10 August 2007
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	==Further Sources==		==Further Sources==
-	*American Philosophical Society: http://www.amphilsoc.org/	+	*[http://www.amphilsoc.org/ American Philosophical Society]
-	*Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants: http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html	+	*[http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants]

	[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]		[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]

JRobertson: /* Further Sources */

JRobertson — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 01:54:10 GMT

Further Sources

←Older revision		Revision as of 01:54, 10 August 2007
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	==Further Sources==		==Further Sources==
-	*American Philosophical Society: http://www.aps.org	+	*American Philosophical Society: http://www.amphilsoc.org/
	*Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants: http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html		*Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants: http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html

	[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]		[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]

Bcraig: /* Further Sources */

Bcraig — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:23:57 GMT

Further Sources

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 1 August 2007
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	==Further Sources==		==Further Sources==
-	*[[American Philosophical Society]]. http://www.aps.org	+	*American Philosophical Society: http://www.aps.org
-	*[http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants]	+	*Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants: http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html

	[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]		[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]

Bcraig: /* Further Sources */

Bcraig — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:23:03 GMT

Further Sources

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 1 August 2007
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	==Further Sources==		==Further Sources==
	*[[American Philosophical Society]]. http://www.aps.org		*[[American Philosophical Society]]. http://www.aps.org
-	*[[http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants]]	+	*[http://www.monticello.org/chp/index.html Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants]

	[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]		[[Category:Agriculture and Gardening]]

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:43, 14 October 2009
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	==See Also==		==See Also==
		+	*[[Benjamin Smith Barton (Physiognotrace)]]
	*[[Oval Flower Beds]]		*[[Oval Flower Beds]]