392 On the London Horticultural Society. 



years longer." This point, I think, requires the immediate 

 consideration of the Society. Few institutions, perhaps, have 

 increased their numbers so rapidly ; notwithstanding which, 

 the expenditure has exceeded the receipts ; for it appears by 

 the last report of the Garden Committee, that the Society has 

 been obliged to raise a loan of 3000/. to complete works 

 already in progress. Now, it never can be expected that sub- 

 scribers will be added in such numbers as they have been. As 

 a Fellow of the Society, I know that fashion alone has in- 

 duced many to join it, which has brought funds very useful to 

 it in its infancy ; but this leader is too capricious to leave any 

 solid grounds for hope that its votaries will continue to uphold 

 the building they themselves have assisted to rear. It is self- 

 evident too much has been aimed at to accomplish at once ; 

 and I fear, should any cause deprive us of our active and 

 energetic Secretary, it will be difficult to find a successor who 

 will even maintain what he has established. A more gradual 

 formation, and greater economy in the expenditure, would have 

 been wise, therefore, on this account, as well as others. It is 

 probable that half the quantity of land now rented would be 

 sufficient for the attainment of all the really beneficial objects 

 of the Society. The members are not to apply for articles 

 they can obtain of the nurserymen. Of what use, then, are 

 the large quantities of such which are now grown by the 

 Society? and what becomes of the fruit and vegetables pro- 

 duced in their garden, not a tithe of which appears at their 

 meetings ? As the Society wants funds, why not find a market 

 for this, or grow less, and so reduce the expenses ? These 

 remarks I have heard from strangers who have occasionally 

 visited the garden with me. Upon the principle of not sup- 

 plying such articles as are grown at the nurseries, I think the 

 Society might also exclude every thing they introduce when 

 they have established it in the country, and so make room for 

 other new fruits, vegetables, and plants. Upon the subject of 

 sending out collectors, I differ with your correspondent. A 

 Society with such means in their power, and objects in view, 

 are benefiting the community greatly by so doing, as they 

 so freely distribute what they obtain. He must likewise know 

 that the Linnean Society has no garden. As to the establish- 

 ment at Kew, the system there is not to distribute, but to 

 retain all that is valuable within itself. There new plants live 

 and die unseen except by a few favoured individuals ; for if a 

 visit is paid to the gardens, it is ten to one if you have a 

 person to attend you who knows which they are, or is willing 

 to point them out. The Horticultural Society has never 



