0° 
A. B. FREEMAN-MITFORD, ESQ., C.B., F.L.S. 
Late Secretary H.M. Office of Works, &c. 
My pear Mirtrorp, 
Duty and pleasure alike prompt me to offer you 
the dedication of Vol. CXXIII. of the Boranican 
Macazinz, giving me, as it does, the opportunity of 
recalling the years of our cordial official co-operation, when 
the Royal Gardens profited so greatly in every department 
through your energy, foresight, and love of plants. 
To this claim I must surely add the service you have 
rendered to horticulture and botany by your labours in 
introducing, cultivating, and studying the hardy Bamboos, 
of which your charming work, “The Bamboo Garden,” is 
the first-fruits. Nor can I omit an allusion to your own 
garden, unrivalled as it is amongst the private collections 
of hardy plants in Europe for extent, scientific interest, 
and beauty. 
Believe me, my dear Mitford, 
Affectionately yours, 
J. D. HOOKER. 
Tur Camp, SUNNINGDALE. 
Dee. 1st, 1897. 
