516 Hoyal Botanic Society of London. 



annual cost of working the steam-engine would be about 120/. The Commis- 

 sioners of Woods would probably pay the Society for the surplus water, if, 

 after flowing through the fountains and lakes in the garden, it were carried to 

 the lake in the Park. 



" With reference to the question, ' To what extent the plan can be carried 

 out for a sum not exceeding 5000/. ?' it is considered that this sum will not 

 more than suffice for the proper carrying into effect the following works, viz. : 

 1. The entrance gates and lodge opposite the Bridge Road, say at a cost of 

 500/. 2. The principal avenue, with the lawns and shrubberies immediately 

 adjoining. 3. About one half of the walks. 4. The enclosure bank (and 

 which should be irregular as to height and width, and planted or turfed at 

 intervals, as it may be desirable to admit or exclude views). 5. The drain- 

 age. 6. A portion of the works required in excavation for the ponds, and 

 in forming hills to give a variety of surface to the garden. 7. The prepara- 

 tion of the plots of ground designed for scientific purposes. 8. The sowing 

 with grass seeds, to form temporary lawns, those parts of the garden which 

 cannot be at first completed. 



" If the sum necessary for obtaining a supply of water from the deep spring 

 cannot now be raised, it will be advisable to make an arrangement with the 

 West Middlesex Water-work's Company for such supply only as is absolutely 

 necessary for watering the plants and lawns, and to defer the formation of the 

 fountains, ponds, &c., until other arrangements can be made. 



" It is particularly desirable that the ground should be cleared of perennial 

 weeds this autumn, because, unless this be attended to, either the laying out 

 of the garden must be defen'ed for another year, or the earth will be laid 

 down full of weeds as it now is, which would occasion an inconvenience and 

 future expense to the Society, the amount of which it would not be easy to 

 calculate. If the formation of the garden be commenced immediately, the 

 principal avenue or straight walk, with the grass lawns and ground designed 

 for the medical and other scientific arrangements of plants, with part of the 

 smaller walks, might be completed by the month of May next, so that a large 

 portion of the garden might then be in a state of forwardness, and fit for the 

 admission of subscribers and the public. 



" It has been thought premature at this time to propose plans for lecture- 

 rooms or museum, the site for which, however, should be near the eastern 

 lodge, as well as, perhaps, a library and refreshment-rooms, the funds for 

 establishing which may probably, without injury to the objects of the Society, 

 be derived from another source. 



" We beg to conclude by requesting that the plan and the report may be 

 considered as intended to afford explanation of our general ideas on the sub- 

 ject. We trust that they will prove sufficient for the immediate purpose, and 

 that the Council may so far approve the principle on which we have pro- 

 ceeded in preparing these documents as to require from us further details, 

 with a view of prosecuting works to establish an Institution which may, 

 doubtless, if judiciously managed, be made to advance the objects of science, 

 to afford a delightful source of health and recreation to the public, and at 

 the same time to remunerate its projectors. 



" Decimus Burton. 

 " Robert Marnock." 



If the sum now proposed to be raised were expended with little delay on 

 the projected plan (see Design by Architect and Curator), the gardens might 

 be so far completed as to offer by the month of May next (see Report) a 

 most agreeable attraction to the public, and to decide at once the many who 

 but wait for some demonstration of activity to become subscribers. For as 

 no one hesitates to admit that a highly cultivated ornamental garden is a chief 

 desideratum in this crowded metropolis, or that the spot selected for the one 

 in question is in no respect surpassed ; so no one can doubt, that, of the nu- 

 merous affluent inhabitants of London, there are sufficient anxious and ready 

 to establish and maintain it. It is therefore hoped that, on consideration of 



