2 On the Objects which the Society have in view. 



degree, inherits the character of its parent. The austere 

 Crab of our woods has thus been converted into the Golden 

 Pippin ; and the numerous varieties of the Plum, can 

 boast no other parent than our native Sloe. Yet few experi- 

 ments have been made, the object of which has been new 

 productions of this sort ; and almost every ameliorated 

 variety of fruit appears to have been the offspring of 

 accident, or of culture applied to other purposes. We may 

 therefore infer, with little danger of error, that an ample 

 and unexplored field for future discovery and improvement 

 lies before us, in which nature does not appear to have 

 formed any limits to the success of our labours, if properly 

 applied. 



The physiology of vegetation has deservedly engaged the 

 attention of the Royal and Linnean Societies ; and much 

 information has been derived from the exertions of those 

 learned bodies. Societies for the improvement of domestic 

 animals, and of Agriculture in all its branches, have also 

 been established with success, in almost every district of 

 the British Empire. Horticulture alone appears to have 

 been neglected, and left to the common gardener, who 

 generally pursues the dull routine of his predecessor; and 

 if he deviates from it, rarely possesses a sufficient share of 

 science and information to enable him to deviate with 

 success. 



The establishment of a national society for the improve- 

 ment of Horticulture has therefore long been wanted ; and 

 if such an institution meet with a degree of support propor- 

 tionate to the importance of its object : if it proceed with 

 cautious circumspection to publish well ascertained facts 



