TO OUR READERS. 



The pen had been clipped into the ink and we were hesitating bow to commence our customary address, 

 when the mournful cry of "Poor frozen-out Gardeners" readied us from tbe street. "We looked out 

 upon those thus wailing, but felt no pity for them — they were unrnistakeable impostors. The words 

 " Frozen out," however, have summoned up many thoughts — •thoughts of the plants and of their 

 cultivators "frozen out" by the war-ravages now desolating France — thoughts of the wise forecast 

 of those gardeners who reserved in-door employment for such times as these, when from out-door 

 employment they are "frozen out" — thoughts of the "bonny blithe blink of their ain fireside," by 

 which many a gardener, many a fancier of the pets within this Journal's province, has that fireside 

 made more cheery by our pages. This last thought adds to our cheeriness, for there is no brighter 

 pleasure than that beaming from a knowledge that we make others happier. That our pages do effect 

 that, our hope and purpose, is no vain suggestion of self-complacency. 



We have the testimony before lis in many letters, and those letters justify the still higher gratifica- 

 tion arising from a certainty that we benefit as Avell as please. We could extract from many letters 

 bearing this testimony, but -a brief one must suffice— the letter is from a well-established seedsman and 

 florist. " It may perhaps amuse you when I say that some years ago, when I was farming our own 

 estate, a friend lent me a bound volume of your Journal, the reading of which had the effect of turning 

 me into a florist, and I believe, had it not been for that, I should never have entered into this line of 

 business, though always passionately fond of flowers." Such certificates that we minister something 

 to the happiness and advantage of others makes our fireside blink more bonniely ; but it does not 

 make us forget that the good we thus achieve is due chiefly to the kindly hearts, able heads, and 

 ready pens which are combined to enrich our pages. That combination will be continued and strength- 

 ened. This, we confidently hope, will secure to us your continued support, and then certainly we 

 shall not be "Frozen out." 



