396 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



Such being the tendency of these associations to awaken 

 an interest in the art of cultivation, and improve the products 

 of the gardener's care, it should be the first endeavor of all 

 who duly appreciate their importance, not only to organize 

 them wherever individuals enough can be found to render 

 them permanent and effective, but to use their influence to 

 make them attractive and popular, by means of exhibitions, 

 and the distribution of premiums, for the best examples of 

 superior cultivation. It is in this way that so much has 

 been accomplished by the London Horticultural Society. 

 The magnificent specimens of the gardener's art which have 

 delighted thousands of visitors at Chiswick Gardens, and still 

 attract and delight them at the.Regent's Park and Suydenham 

 Palace, may date their origin to the liberal prizes and good 

 judgment of that Society. The generous emulation which 

 they have excited brought out the cultivator's skill ; and 

 from the almost insignificant looking plants have been pro- 

 duced specimens which it would seem impossible to excel. 

 The same results we hope to see accomplished by the Hor- 

 ticultural Societies of our own country. It is only necessary 

 that the standard should be established, and the requisition 

 made that the specimens should be up to that standard. 



But if we have not yet, and may not expect to for a long 

 time, equal the magnificent specimens of the English gar- 

 deners, we have excelled them in the beauty and variety of 

 our fruits. Nowhere, not even in France or Belgium, do we 

 believe such exhibitions could be made as have been wit- 

 nessed in this country. Such splendid apples, and such mag- 

 nificent pears ! To the zeal of our own amateurs and pro- 

 fessional cultivators we are indebted for the rapid advance 

 in fruit culture beyond that of almost any other country. 



A task is imposed both upon the members, and each asso- 

 ciation itself, which should be thoroughly performed. First, 

 there should be a hearty cooperation in the management. 

 It is not enough that the members should offer pecuniary 

 assistance while they withhold their presence and personal 

 support. Such a course is fatal to the welfare of any So- 

 ciety, and their decadence may be traced to this one cause. 



