REPORT FROM THE COUNCIL 



TO THE 



ANNIVERSARY MEETING. MAY 1, 1850. 



It will probably be in the recollection of the Society that at the 

 last Anniversary the Council expressed their desire not to incur 

 ' ; any material expenses which are not absolutely required for the 

 maintenance of the Society in a healthy state." In pursuance of 

 this resolution the Council have refrained from embarking in any 

 pecuniary undertaking which did not appear to be of pressing- 

 necessity. Circumstances have, however, occasioned a larger 

 outlay for extra work than was contemplated in May. 1S49. 



For many years the Exhibitions at the Garden were accom- 

 panied by such constant fine weather that precautions against 

 rain appeared needless. From 1833 to 1843. a period of eleven 

 years, only two afternoons out of thirty-three were wet, and of 

 these one was very slightly so. In 184-5 and 1846 every day was 

 fine ; but since that time the weather in May, June, and July 

 has changed so much, that out of nine meetings in 1847, 1848. 

 and 1849, five have been more or less stormy. In 1849 one day 

 only proved wet, but so much inconvenience was then expe- 

 rienced that the Council have felt obliged, from a regard to the 

 convenience of visitors, to endeavour to devise such a remedy as 

 is possible where very large numbers assemble in the open air. 



Wirh this view the old entrances to the Garden have been 

 paved and drained, aud a new double entrance has been opened 

 into the Arboretum, from the Duke of Devonshire's road, whence 

 a gravel walk, 630 feet long and 15 feet wide, has been made as 

 far as the large Conservatory. On either side of this walk the 

 tents will be pitched, and it is expected that a dry line of com- 

 munication will be secured, in the event of rain, from one range 

 of tents to the other. This alteration would not, however, have 

 alone completed a convenient approach to the tents from the more 

 distant entrances to the Garden, and therefore it has been found 

 desirable to construct another gravel walk. 15 feet wide and 667 

 feet long, from the old gate in the Duke of Devonshire's road as 

 far as the new approach to the Conservatory. In doing this the 

 opportunity has been taken of reconstructing the Flower Garden, 

 which had fur many years been much in want of remodelling. 

 The Garden Committee, under whose charge these works were 



VOL. V. M 



