100 THE FLORIST. 



and experience teach him what the particular class of soil he cultivates 

 is best capable of producing ; but to a numerous class among the 

 Fellows cf the Royal Agricultural Society a collection of growing 

 specimens of every kind of farm produce would prove of great service. 

 It is the interest of landed proprietors, as well as practical farmers, to 

 make themselves acquainteil with every description of plant capable of 

 cultivation on the farm. Among the great variety of farm produce now 

 offered to the public some must be better than others ; and although, 

 on the limited scale which under any circumstances could be attempted, 

 no results of great practical value as to superiority could be established, 

 yet a complete knowledge of every kind and variety would be obtain- 

 able ; and some general and extremely useful information to many 

 would certainly be the result. 



We may be too sanguine on this subject, but we think nevertheless 

 some accession of members would follow the introduction of so useful 

 a feature ; and that it would prove an interesting department of the 

 gardens, and increase the claims which the Horticultural Society would 

 have on the support of the Royal Agricultural Society and the public 

 generally. 



That these schemes would not be attended with any great expense, 

 we feel sure all who consider the subject will agree. Our object in 

 suggesting them as auxiliaries to the promotion of ho ticulture proper, 

 is to make the most of the gardens — in fact, to make them not only 

 represent horticulture, but every subject connected with the landed 

 property of Britain, whether relating to the farm, the garden, or 

 timber, so that every one interested in landed property might know 

 where to obtain all the information he required relative to his property ; 

 and we need not add, we hope, would likewise be induced to support 

 liberally an institution which, under good management, would be cal- 

 culated to improve his knowledge of cultivation. 



Much might be done likewise by a well considered course of lectures 

 on the various subjects connected with the establishment. We think, 

 further, that these in turn might be productive of revenue ; but we 

 forbear saying more for the present on this and other subjects connected 

 with the retention of the garden, but wait to see, first, what is the 

 determination of the Council in this respect. 



NOTES ON A JOURNEY.— No. IV. 

 Thorough drainage is admitted by all good cultivators to be an indis- 

 pensable preliminary to the development of those results which may 

 be obtained by increased depth of soil and aeration. But the intro- 

 duction of this system has been met by the most dogged opposition on 

 the part of both farmers and gardeners, of whom your humble servant 

 was one (in earlier days) strenuously opposed to making drains too 

 deep in clay soils. He has, however, long seen his mistake, and has 

 sought and had opportunities of being convinced that both himself and 

 those who do not drain deeply are, or have been, in error. 



