REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL 



TO THE 



ANNIVERSARY MEETING, MAY 2, 1853. 



The year that has now elapsed has heen so little suited to 

 Horticultural operations, that the Fellows of the Society could 

 scarcely have been surprised had the Report now about to be read 

 conveyed much more unsatisfactory intelligence than the Council 

 have to communicate. Bleak, uninviting weather at the most 

 important of the Garden Exhibitions, almost incessant rain from 

 the end of October to the beginning of March, during a large 

 part of which time the water stood nearly on a level with the 

 highest parts of the Garden, contributed in different ways to 

 render the year 1852-3 singularly unprosperous. On the one 

 hand, the revenue derived from the Exhibitions was diminished 

 to the extent of 1820Z. ; and on the other, improvements to the 

 Garden during the winter were rendered impracticable. Never- 

 theless, the Council have the satisfaction to find that if they have 

 no surplus income to record, they have no material increase of debt 

 to announce ; the whole addition to the liabilities of the Society 

 not exceeding 12H. 16s. 5d., as will be explained in the following 

 Report. 



The Garden Exhibitions were probably more rich in finely 

 cultivated plants, and more free from bad ones, than they have 

 been in any former year ; showing that horticultural skill is not 

 only advancing, but is becoming more generally diffused. The 

 attendance was as follows : — 



May 8 2755 



June 12 4719 



July 10 8820 



16,294 



being nearly 4000 fewer than in 1851. This seems to have 

 arisen chiefly from the excessive coldness of June 12, the day on 

 which it has been customary for the greatest number of visitors 



VOL. VIII. P 



