TRANSACTIONS 



OF THE 



HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



I. Introductory Remarks relative to the Objects which the 

 Horticultural Society have in view. By Thomas Andrew 

 Knight, Esq. F. R. S. #c. 



R^ad April 2, 1805. 

 We r e it possible to ascertain the primeval state of those 

 vegetables which now occupy the attention of the gardener 

 and agriculturist, and immediately, or more remotely, con- 

 duce to the support and happiness of mankind ; and could 

 we trace out the various changes which art or accident has, 

 in successive generations, produced in each, few inquiries 

 would be more extensively interesting. But we possess no 

 sources from which sufficient information to direct us in our 

 inquiries can be derived ; and are still ignorant of the na- 

 tive country, and existence in a wild state, of some of the 

 most important of our plants. We, however, know that 

 improved flowers and fruits are the necessary produce of 

 improved culture ; and that the offspring, in a greater or less 

 vol. i. B 



