lx THE HISTORY OF THE BOTANICAL MAGAZINE 
with descriptions by Dr. Reichenbach and J. G. Baker. The 
first consists mostly of bulbous plants, with various species 
of Pelargonium and Cotoneaster; the second contains 
Orchids only; the third is mainly devoted to bulbous 
plants and the section Echeveria of Cotyledon ; Aroids are 
the prominent feature of the fourth, and Yuccas of the fifth. 
Klwes’s Monograph of Lilies and Maw’s Monograph of Crocus 
are too well known to need more than mere mention here, 
Amongst the notable events of this period specially 
deserving record here is the unparalleled International 
Flower Show and Botanical Congress at South Kensington 
in 1866, one of the results of which was the acquisition of 
the Lindley Library in trust for the Royal Horticultural 
Society. In the face of great difficulties, and in spite of 
much adverse criticism, some of which it has deserved, the 
Royal Horticultural Society has done much to advance 
horticulture during this period. The fortnightly meetings, 
the Scientific Fruit and Floral Committees, the various 
Congresses, the numerous trial cultures at Chiswick under 
the superintendence of Mr. A. F. Barron, and the publica- 
tions connected therewith, have done good service, and much 
of the work possesses permanent value. 
1888—1904. 
Nearly twenty years have passed since the foregoing lines 
were written, and much might be written concerning the 
Magazine, and notable events and acquisitions in horticul- 
ture during this period; but I must be brief. The comple- 
tion of the third series of the Magazine was coincident with 
the retirement of Sir J oseph Hooker from the editorship, and 
with the sixtieth year of the possession of the Magazine by 
the firm of Lovell Reeve & Co. Mr. F. L, Soper, the present 
head of the firm, has been actively connected with the’ 
publication for the last forty years of this long period. Sir 
Joseph Hooker was born June 30th, 1817, so that he was 
eighty-seven when he retired, on account of his not being 
able to travel to Kew in all weathers, not because he was 
unable to work. His eyes and hands are still good, and he 
is engaged on a monograph of the genus Impatiens from 
dried specimens ; a most difficult task and one requiring 
great skill and patience in dissecting. Mr. Soper, who is 
only one year younger, still occupies his chair in Henrietta 
Street. 
I have already mentioned Miss M. Smith’s connection 
with this Magazine. From 1887 to the present day, with 
