EEPOETS. 



REPORT OF THE COM, ON ORNAMENTAL GARDENING, 



For the Year 1864. 

 BY W. B. AUSTIN, CHAIEMAN". 

 Mr. President: — 



Being Chairman of the Garden Committee, I suppose I am required to 

 make some kind of a report, but I really have very little to say, our Commit- 

 tee not having received a single application for a visit during the whole sum- 

 mer. It will be remembered, that year before last, the appropriation for this 

 Committee was withheld by vote of the Society, and thus, without the means 

 of giving premiums or gratuities, we could hardly expect applications for 

 visits. Last year, however, the usual appropriation was resumed again. 



It has been said. Sir, (and I fear with some truth), that this Committee 

 degenerated into an eating and drinking Committee, but if so, the public were 

 perhaps more to blame than the Committee, for if gentlemen would insist 

 upon spreading the liberal board, it would be uncivil to decline the generous 

 hospitality, or refuse to give due acknowledgments ; however this may be. Sir, 

 it gradually became the custom, and order of the day, to feast the Committee, 

 and any gentleman desiring an official visit, had to take into account the cost 

 of a collation, or dinner ; this was not so very expensive at old prices, before 

 the war, but would be a great tax now, and probably is one of the causes 

 preventing applications. Another reason is, the Committee have gone the 

 rounds over and over, and visited all places of note, and it has become an old 

 story. There can be no doubt of the increased emulation, among gardeners 

 and amateurs, caused by the official visits of this Committee, and a wonderful 

 improvement was seen in the neatness, and thrift of places ; — it must be 

 acknowledged also, there was much enjoyment in these visits, and which 

 seemed mutual, as our departed friends, Tudor, Bates, and others, would say, 

 if they could speak, and hosts of living friends can testify ; yet, it may be. 

 Sir, that this Committee has done all the good it can at present, and with the 

 erroneous idea on the part of the public, that the Committee crave, or expect 

 refreshments, it may be best, after this year's trial, to alter our By-Laws, and 

 abolish the Committee altogether, or suspend it, to be created again if thought 

 expedient after a lapse of years, and at a more favorable, auspicious time 

 than the present. 



Respectfully submitted for the Committee, 



W. R. AUSTIN. Chairmaw. 



