THE SEASON OF 1878. 437 



and of meeting on common ground .with . those from 

 every walk in life, brought together by a common love 

 of nature, he considered the conditions of success in 

 horticultural pursuits ; and these he deemed to be, as in 

 every department of human affairs, to do one thing and 

 that well, better, if possible, than any one else; 

 whether horticulture be the business of life, or the rel- 

 axation from other pursuits, to choose one department, 

 and excel in that, and not to be content with any thing 

 short of the highest results that skill and energy and 

 single hearted devotion to the chosen object, whatever it 

 might be, could accomplish. 



The winter of 1877-78 was mild and pleasant. The 

 spring opened early, and the first two months were re- 

 markably mild, and at the end of April all gardening 

 operations were in a very forward state. May was cool, 

 with occasional sharp frosts, which destroyed or injured 

 melons, beans, and other tender plants, and killed the 

 first blossoms of strawberries, which would have made the 

 largest and best fruits. From July to September there 

 were many very heavy showers, accompanied with hail, 

 which caused considerable damage to fruits and plants. 

 The cool, cloudy weather of August was unfavorable to 

 the ripening of grapes, but promoted the development 

 of mildew. In September and October there were a 

 succession of fine days, without severe frost until near 

 the end of the latter month; while November was 

 milder than usual, so that all garden work could be well 

 completed. 



The financial crisis of 1873 was comparatively little 

 felt by the Society until 1876, when its income was so 

 much reduced, that it became necessary to make a cor- 

 responding reduction in the expenditures. The amount 



