TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF THE 

 HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



BY A MEMBER. 



Gentlemen : Your Society, and many similar ones in this country, has been 

 now lonp^ enough in existence to make it a suitable period to ask the (jucstion : 

 " Has the law of progress which governs other institutions, such as Agricultural 

 Societies, been observed by yours ?" 



You have awakened in a portion of the pul)lic a love of horticulture and flowers; 

 your exhibitions and your ])rciuiums have accomplished much; let us look round 

 us, and see if something more is not required of us. The monthly and annual 

 exhil)itions amount to this : they stimulate the practical, and delight the amateur ; 

 the premiums are looked upon by the receivers as of much more importance than 

 their pecuniary value, and they continue to be sought as evidences that mind has 

 assisted labor. But have you no other mission ? These same plants, flowers, 

 and vegetables, which you so happily bring together, are visited and studied by 

 practical men, so that, long before they are exhibited by you, their history and 

 cultivation are understood by the practitioners of horticulture, who find in your 

 halls little that is new or surprising to them. Have you in your power the means 

 and the will to advance a step further, and to give to your friends increased in- 

 struction ? An exhibition as now managed, is to some ])crsons very little short of 

 a display of personal importance in a few men, who walk the halls as if they had 

 made the plants, but who are never heard of between whiles for any useful dis- 

 covery ; their importance is exhibited, but their usefulness we have yet to learn. 



As to your reports, they consist of naming the plants sent in, and awarding 

 premiums, which, as far as I observe, go generally to the same individuals, and 

 your horticultural proceedings have become about as dry a catalogue as those of 

 the nursery ; few read them but the premium takers and their employers. 



This was very well and proper in the infancy of your Institution, but progress 

 should be your motto ; and I trust you will permit a friend of your Society to 

 suggest that something more advanced, and in consonance with the genius of the 

 age, should be struck out as necessary to entire success, and to continue your 

 association in the good graces and opinions of your numerous patrons. The mere 

 showing of so much money as the profits of your career, is just nothing compared 

 with what you might accomplish. 



I know that, in all human institutions, jealousies will creep in and disturb the 

 unanimity which is desirable in carrying out all good ends ; but unanimity can be 

 attained, if you will convince the reason of your members. I would suggest, 

 therefore, whether it is not in your power to add materially to your usefulness, 

 and will throw out a few hints for reflection ? 



You have funds, wealthy members, and a large and liberal public to deal with. 

 Suppose you club your means and your thoughts, and create an Experimental 

 Garden. Your policy has heretofore been one of successful co-operation ; con- 

 tinue to co-operate, and extend your usefulness. It may be set down as a fact, 

 that of the thousands who breathe your perfumed atmosphere, under the illumi- 

 nation of gas, a very small number ever enter a greenhouse, or see a large, neat 

 garden ; they want to do this, however, and would do it if facilities were given. 

 Private gardens are very well, Imt the thousands of lovers of flowers do not feel 

 at liberty to open other people's gates ; they want to have a place where they 



by right. If your society does not, ere long, provide such a spot, it wi" 



