Ivi 



BOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



tion can be obtained. When the number of plants under cul- 

 tivation was comparatively small, the ' Hortus Kewensis ' was 

 available for the more scientific gardeners ; but though there are 

 some praiseworthy exceptions, such as Loudon's ' Arboretum,' 

 the cultivator is for the most part compelled to pore over mere 

 catalogues, which can give him only an empirical knowledge, 

 while as frequently he will fall into error. It is believed that 

 the publication of a series of manuals, judiciously selected, would 

 be highly calculated to promote a general love of scieutific 

 botany where there is at present mere fioricultural knowledge, 

 and the more so as the desire of mere display seems on the 

 wane, while an appreciation of elegance of form and foliage, and 

 delicacy and variety of structure, is daily increasing. Each 

 volume might be complete in itself, while if the plan were well 

 carried out a series of publications would be produced, highly 

 honourable to the Society and of great importance to Horticul- 

 ture. The suggestion, I would observe, originated with a member 

 of our Committee, who has the power and the will at once to aid 

 in the realization of such a scheme ; and when I mention Dr. 

 Hooker as its originator, it will assuredly be evident how mate- 

 rially it might be promoted by the staff at the Herbarium and the 

 Superintendents of the different departments in the Grardens at 

 Kew. Suppose, for instance, we were to undertake a volume on 

 Conifers, for which Gordon's manual is now quite insufficient, 

 another on Herbaceous plants more usually cultivated, another on 

 Hock and Alpine plants — or, to descend to especial genera, one 

 illustrating Dendrobium, JSpidendmcm, and Oncidiiim — what a 

 boon would such volumes be to cur Members. The scheme, more- 

 over, with the aid which has been promised, might be carried out 

 at a comparatively small expense, and with a degree of speed and 

 correctness which would be quite out of the power of any in- 

 dividual. 



The Committee will of course be prepared to receive sugges- 

 tions as to any other plans or modes of action which may be 

 thought advisable ; but it is absolutely necessary that such sugges- 

 tions should be submitted in writing, that the terms may be dis- 

 tinctly understood. Their ultimate adoption will of course rest 

 with the Council. 



