The discussions, of which the substance is given in the follow- 

 ing pages, have been much more successful than any previously 

 attempted by the society. Now that they have been interrupted 

 by the arrival of the busiest season of the year for garden work, 

 the committee have decided to publish the reports, together with 

 abstracts of the proceedings at the Business Meetings, as Part I. 

 of the Transactions for 1874, to be followed at the usual time by 

 the Reports of Committees, etc., as Part II. It is woi'thy of record 

 that the exhibitions of plants, flowers, etc., held simultaneously 

 with the discussions, have been, both for extent and beauty, far in 

 advance of previous shows during the winter season, the exhibi- 

 tions and discussions having exerted a mutually beneficial effect, 

 which the committee trust will continue, when the discussions are 

 resumed in the leisure of another winter. They desire, however, 

 to hold meetings for discussion during the summer, as subjects of 

 interest may be suggested. 



April 4, 1874. 



W. C. Strokg, 

 E. S. Rand, Jr., 

 J. M. Merrick, 



Committee on 



Publication 



and Discussion. 



