22 



Your Committee believe it is for the permanent Interest of 

 the Society to proceed with the erection of a buikling, if it can 

 be done within its means, or with safety as an investment of its 

 funds. The question of time is one which they have given 

 much attention, and h:)oking at it in all its aspects, they feel 

 assured, with such a plan as they have had prepared, should it 

 meet the wishes and approval of the Society, a building can be 

 erected at a reasonably enhanced price, without detriment to its 

 present interests or future welfare, afford a good income upon 

 the outlay, and, what is of most importance, place the Society 

 in the possession of a hall of its own, where it can accommodate 

 all the exhibitions, weekly or annual — a building that shall be 

 an ornament to our city, "a fitting testimonial of our liberal- 

 ity" — and one which will enable us to carry forward the great 

 objects of its founders, viz. : " Encouraging and improving the 

 science of horticulture." 



At an early stage of the action of the Society, a committee 

 of five was chosen to purchase a suitable site within certain 

 limits ; and that committee, desirous of serving the interests 

 and forwarding the objects of the Society, which they believed 

 to be to secure a handsome and appropriate building, selected 

 the Montgomery House estate, and had plans and estimates 

 prepared by G. J. F. Bryant, Esq., placed before them and the 

 Society. This plan has been taken as the basis of another, now 

 about to be submitted for your consideration. No vote was 

 taken upon it by the old Committee, and its internal arrange- 

 ments were not especially criticised or debated, as the time had 

 not then arrived for such action. It was simply an idea of the 

 style of building, in its architectural proportions and general 

 beauty. Estimates were, hoAvever, made, showing that it could 

 have been erected in 1862 for |85,000. 



This plan has been materially and essentially altered in its 

 interior arrangements, while its exterior character has been pre- 

 served, and, it is confidently hoped, its architectural proportions 

 improved, its fitness augmented, and its beauty of design much 

 enhanced. It is now presented, with the full belief that, after 

 much study, it comes as near as possible to the wants and 



