84 THE FLORIST. 



THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 



The scheme now proposed for the continuation of this Society holds 

 out, in my humble opinion, no probable hope of success. It is the old 

 story over again — a mighty parade of scientific principles, and the 

 vaguest of all possible hints as to the practical means by which our 

 downward progress is to be arrested. The Horticultural Society can be 

 maintained in a state of efficiency only by a thorough re-organisation of 

 its Executive. We must have not only " new men," but " new mea- 

 sures." Old prejudices must be scattered to the winds — obsolete 

 customs resolutely ignored ; and then — but not till then — we may look 

 for the full development of those elements of greatness which are still 

 inherent in the Institution, fallen and degraded though it be. 

 " Even in its ashes live its wonted fires." 



Let me make myself a little more catholic, and put away, as a worn- 

 out garment, all those antique, stiff, and constrained notions, which are 

 as unsuited to modern plant-growing as they are objectionable to modern 

 plant-growers. I assert — and can adduce ample proof of my assertion 

 — that Horticultural exhibitions (in other words, flower-shows) are as 

 popular as ever. How comes it, then, that so noble an institution as 

 the Horticultural ' Society of London is at this moment tottering to its 

 fall ? "I pause for a reply." In the mean while, let me offer a few 

 suggestions, the adoption of which would, I believe, again place our 

 Society at the head of similar institutions. 



In the first place, I would increase the number of our Executive. 

 The Council at present is composed of fifteen members, from whom are 

 elected a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. These 

 fifteen consist, for the most part, of noblemen and gentlemen more noted 

 for their high position in society than for any practical knowledge of 

 gardening, or any peculiar interest in gardening pursuits. Let the 

 fifteen be increased to thirty- six, retaining, by all means, the noblemen 

 and gentlemen as heretofore, with the addition of (say) seven exhibiting 

 amateurs, seven exhibiting nurserymen, and the like number of gentle- 

 men's gardeners, all exhibitors. Thus, while the " upper " fifteen 

 might continue to rule the financial department, the " practical " 

 twenty-one could watch over the general interests of exhibitors, the 

 neglect of whom has been one chief, if not sole, cause of the present 

 sad state of the Society's affairs. 



With respect to the privileges of Fellows — although, in truth, they 

 have not of late years been of much importance — I would again intro- 

 duce the system of popular extension. Give to each existing life 

 Fellow the right of entree for himself and three {or four) frien'ds to every 

 meeting, exhibition, &c. Institute (as now proposed) a new class of 

 Fellows, who, on payment of two guineas each annually, shall be 

 entitled to all the privileges of existing Fellow-!, save that their right of 

 introduction shall be available for one (or tieo) friends only. From the 

 adoption of this course I should anticipate the greatest advantages, 

 inasmuch, as the power of introducing friends would assuredly lead to 



