THE 



hi 



GABDE^ GUiDE. 



Jo-E, 1861. 



JBTE PESTITAL of the " Gardeners' Royal Benevolent 

 Institution,"' to take place at tte London Tavern, on 

 the 26th cf June, demands attention, as of great im- 

 portance to the interests of horticulture, independent 

 altogether of the claims it has upon philanthropy, and 

 the brotherly spirit by "which the gardening craft is 

 ^ animated. "We cannot but wish this society a most hearty 

 success at the forthcoming anniversary, and we would hope 

 to be useful to it by calling the attention of our readers to its 

 high claims for support on all who are interested in horticul- 

 ture. Its object is to assist in providing for the subsistence of head gar- 

 deners, foremen, market gardeners, nurserymen, and seedsmen, who have 

 been engaged in either of their several occupations during twenty years, 

 and who, through calamity, misfortune, or other causes, shall have become 

 reduced in circumstances, and in need of pecuniary assistance. The 

 widows of such persons are also eligible to election for relief. The society 

 was instituted in 1838, and for sometime after its first formation, it lacked 

 the generous support which happily has been awarded it of late years. Its 

 rules have been certified by Mr. Tidd Pratt, and its entire organization is 

 such as to command the esteem of those who look on critically as well as 

 those who liberally aid it with contributions from their purses. The rules 

 require that recipients of the society's bounty shall be at least sixty years 

 of age — cases of total incapacity alone excepted. The amount of relief 

 given to males is sixteen pounds per annum, and to females twelve pounds 

 per annum ; and, in the event of a pensioner dying and leaving a widow, 

 she is at once placed upon the list of pensioners, without the vexation and 

 trouble of an election. The mode of election to the benefits of the society 

 is by ballot, and every annual subscription of a guinea entitles the sub- 

 scriber to one vote at elections, a privilege which may be compounded for 

 by a life subscription of ten guineas. During the year 1860 the total in- 

 come of the society was £1161 14^. 6J., not a great sum, considering 

 how wide spread is the passion for horticultural puKuits, and how numerous 

 TOL. IV. — yo. VI. G 



