CHAPTER IV. 



THE FINANCES OF THE SOCIETY. 



WE have seen that at the time of the organization 

 of the Society, in 1829, there was some preparation in 

 the public mind to welcome such an institution. But, 

 though individual horticulturists and amateurs in rural 

 pursuits had been for some time awake to the impor- 

 tance of such an association, this feeling was not general 

 in the community. The proposal for the new society 

 met not only with indifference from many persons, but 

 on the part of some, who deemed existing organizations 

 adequate to cover the whole field of agriculture and 

 horticulture, with positive jealousy and opposition. 



But the love of the founders of the Society for horti- 

 culture, their belief that the best means of its improve- 

 ment and advancement would be by the organization 

 of a society devoted to that especial purpose, and their 

 faith that an intelligent and wealthy community would 

 supply the means for carrying out its objects, were suffi- 

 cient to induce them to unite in the establishment of 

 such a society, in spite of lukewarmness or opposition. 

 Their views in regard to the financial management most 

 likely to lead to success may be learned from the fol- 

 lowing statement, which forms the beginning of the re- 

 port of the committee appointed to inquire into the 

 expediency of establishing an experimental garden and 



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