328 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



in works of permanent utility ; and more than 7000/, in the 

 introduction of rare plants and seeds ; notwithstanding which 

 the debts have been gradually reduced to 8800/. In the 

 course of this time the high character of the society has 

 also been sustained, among other measures by a most libe- 

 ral distribution of medals and pecuniary rewards for merito- 

 rious productions, under which head alone 19,224/. has been 

 expended since 1830 ; by an enormous distribution of seeds, 

 plants, &c., amounting to almost a million and a half; and 

 by an impulse given to horticulture to which there is no 

 parallel. 



After alluding to some other points the council refer to the 

 enormous debt bequeathed to the society in 1830. Up to 

 1852 a pretty steady reduction of this incumbrance continued 

 to take place ; but in 1853 and 1854 it was slightly increased, 

 and again in 1855 to the amount of 1250/. This has chiefly 

 arisen from the thin attendance at the garden meeting in 

 May, when there was an important launch at Woolwich in 

 presence of her majesty, and from that in June having fallen 

 into unfortunate proximity with the day on which the queen 

 opened the Crystal Palace. 



The council report that in consequence of this unforeseen 

 event, immediate means were taken to curtail expenditure ,• 

 his Grace the Duke of Devonshire reduced the garden rent 

 from 300/. to 200/. a year, and a valuation of the property of 

 the corporation was ordered to be made. The result shows 

 a balance of property ovei' liabilities, in favor of the Society, 

 of more than 15,000/. 



The council observe in conclusion that the career of the 

 society has been, upon the whole, one of much prosperity, 

 and they cannot but look back with pleasure to the important 

 public services which that prosperity has enabled the corpo- 

 ration to perform. They therefore invite the Fellows each to 

 exercise his influence in recruiting the ranks of the corpora- 

 tion. " When it is considered that the admission fee is now 

 only two guineas, that the annual subscriptions are retrospec- 

 tive, a?ic? no/ J9a?/a6/e m advance, Xhdii ladies are admissible 

 as Fellows, that the publications of the society are distrib- 



