'^^^ '^^^^ 0^ ™^ EOYAL 





r 1 as individuals, and their aggregate observations liave tended 

 f I only to increase their conviction, that there scarce exists a single 

 species of esculent plant or fruit, which (relative to the use of 

 ^ man) has yet attained its utmost state of perfection ; nor any 

 1^ branch of practical Horticultm-e which is not still susceptible of 

 [p ^ ; essential improvement. 



L| y ^ " The establishment of a National Society for the improve- 

 1 ment of Horticulture has, therefore, long been wanted ; and if 



such an institution meet with a degree of support proportionate 

 ■ 9) ^° ^^^^ importance of its object ; if it proceed with cautious 

 m W circumspection to publish well ascertained facts only, to detect 

 R m the errors of ignorance, and to expose the misrepresentations of 

 im fraud; the advantages which the public may ultimately derive 

 MjS from the estabUshment -ndll probably exceed the most sanguine 



hopes of its founders." 



The result has shown that these words were prophetic. 



\M '^^^ ^ 



II 



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