184 EEPOET OF THE COUNCIL, MAY 1, 1848. 



carried out ; aud if the garden is converted from one of experiment into 

 one of cultivation for mere profit (and it must be either one or the other), 

 the intention of its founders will be defeatc-d. 



These considerations explain "why a proposition, that "tenders for the 

 entire produce of the garden should be annually advertised for," could not 

 be entertained by the Committee. An indispensable condition in such an 

 arrangement would be that the contractor should have full control over the 

 crops, removing them when and how he thought fit, and restraining the 

 Fellows of the Society from the enjoyment of the privileges secured to them 

 by the bye-laws. In the absence of such a stipulation no tender could be 

 made, or, if made, the sum that could be offered would necessarily be less 

 than can be obtained by the present arrangements. 



Although the Committee are not able to advise any essential change in 

 the present mode of disposing of the produce of the garden, yet they are of 

 opinion that an improvement would be effected in the detail, if, in all cases 

 (with the exception of pears), as soon as a crop is ready for gathering, the 

 reserve which is necessary for the purposes of the garden were at once made, 

 and the residue sold for what it will fetch — Pears to be sold only as soon 

 as they become marketable. Thus, as soon as a crop of peaches, grapes, &c. 

 was ready for gathering, it would be at once sent to market, with the excep- 

 tion of so much as is required for exhibiting the variety, or supplying the 

 customary demands. The Committee, however, in making this suggestion, 

 do not anticipate much advantage, if any, in a pecuniary point of view ; but 

 they offer it for the purpose of satisfying those who erroneously imagine 

 that the produce of the garden is wasted. 



R. H. Solly, Chairman. 



6th Septeml)er, 1847. 



