PREFACE. 



iii 



talents have been developed, by the attention which the So- 

 ciety is ever ready to pay to their communications, by which 

 they are encouraged to state those facts which their practical 

 experience may discover ; and of the value of which, over 

 mere theory, none can entertain a doubt. 



In the period which has elapsed since the Society last ad- 

 dressed the Public, they have had to deplore the loss of their 

 august and venerable Patroness ; their consolation, however, 

 has been, that the protection which Her late Majesty extended 

 to them is in the most gracious manner continued by His 

 Royal Highness the Prince Regent, who has evinced at once 

 his disposition to promote useful Science, and his veneration 

 for the memory of his illustrious parent, by becoming the 

 Patron of the Society, and thus protecting and encouraging 

 that Institution, which she was pleased to honour with her 

 peculiar favour. 



It has been the highest source of gratification to the So- 

 ciety, to find that in every step which they have advanced 

 towards the amelioration of Practical Horticulture, as well 

 as in theoretical investigations, they have received the most 

 cordial and able assistance from the Nurserymen, and 

 Market and Practical Gardeners, as well in the vicinity 

 of the metropolis, as in remote parts of the kingdom. No 

 petty jealousies or fears have operated to the prejudice of 

 the Society's views ; but, on the contrary, in the intercourse 

 which has taken place with them, they have exhibited an 

 union of sentiment and an ardent desire for the dissemination 

 of practical knowledge, the importance of which is every day 



