ii 



PREFACE. 



how very superior many of the engravings and coloured 

 figures in this volume are to those in former ones. 



At the date of the Preface to the preceding volume, the 

 total number of Fellows of the Society was 1520, it has since 

 been augmented to 1915 ; making an absolute accession of 

 near 400 in about two years and a half. The List of the 

 Society contains altogether the names of 2197 persons, con- 

 nected with it, either as Fellows, Honorary Members, Foreign 

 Members, or Corresponding Members ; an extension which, 

 in the infancy of its establishment, was never contemplated, 

 and which certainly cannot be considered as having arrived 

 at its maximum, since fresh additions are made at each suc- 

 ceeding Meeting of the Society. 



The increase in the List of the Members has not arisen 

 solely from British subjects : the knowledge of the opera- 

 tions and objects of the Society has so extended to foreign 

 countries, as to induce the Sovereigns of several of the Euro- 

 pean states to honour it, by enrolling their names amongst its 

 Fellows ; a circumstance which must prove highly bene- 

 ficial, since it insures a ready protection and countenance 

 to its communications with foreigners. An addition has also 

 been made to the class of Honorary Members, in consequence 

 of His Royal Highness the Duke of York having graciously 

 assented to the request of the Council, that he would allow 

 his name to be entered on the list. 



To those who are acquainted with the state of Horticul- 

 ture amongst us at the present moment, and who remember 

 its condition a few years ago, it will hardly be necessary to 

 point out how beneficial the influence of the Society has 

 been. The general taste for gardening which its example 



