TO THE COUNCIL, JUNE 4, 1860. 223 



this will now last for a considerable time. 1 have also had 

 shading placed upon this .and the stove house, and fitted with 

 rollers and pulleys so as to be readily drawn up or down. I have 

 taken for this purpose some of the old shading formerly used for 

 the Conservatory. 



The Begonias and Achiraenes sent to the Garden for trial are 

 in good condition, and will be brought in due time before the 

 Floral Committee. 



The Annuals for trial have all been carefully grown in pots, 

 and are now planted out in the Experimental Garden : which has 

 been prepared for them by removing old gravel walks, and re- 

 making the borders, digging the ground to a considerable depth, 

 and by adding a large quantity of fresh soil. With these pre- 

 parations I have no doubt of the future success of the plants. 

 The Geraniums and Verbenas, &c., ai'e not yet planted out, as 

 Mr. Moore expects donations from several parties who have not 

 yet contributed ; the ground, however, is made ready for them, 

 and I hope to get all planted during the ensuing week. 



I have bedded out a considerable number of Geraniums and 

 other decorative plants, on both sides of the walk leading from 

 the Council-room to the Conservatory, for the purpose of getting 

 stock for furnishing the New Gardens at Kensington next 



The Vines in the houses are looking well, and showing a good 

 crop of fruit. The Grapes on the pot vines are now beginning 

 to colour ; those in the curvilinear Vinery are in a forward state ; 

 those in the Conservatory are well set, and I am now engaged in 

 thinning them. I would venture to draw the attention of the 

 Council to the splendid show of Grapes in this house, a sight of 

 which alone would well repay a visit to Chiswick. 



I have forced a considerable number of Strawberries in pots 

 since my last report. The produce has been, for the greater part, 

 sent to market ; the remainder supplied to Fellows of the Society. 

 The price for the best of the fruit has averaged from 6 to 10 

 shillings per lb. 



The Peach trees on the walls are well set ; and many of the 

 Pear trees, both those against the walls and the standards, are 

 literally covered with fruit. 



The Peas for trial are looking well ; a number of the early 

 kinds are in full bloom. 



t, 137 kinds of 



