Vi PREFACE. 



compared to that of the Society, but it must be acknowledged 

 that it is still far from complete. 



The Collection of Models of Fruits, which has been forming 

 from the productions of many successive seasons, which has 

 now become by far the most considerable in Europe, and 

 which is absolutely indispensible in any classification or ar- 

 rangement of many classes of fruit, has lately been disposed 

 in glazed cases fixed in the Meeting Room, where it can be 

 consulted without the inconvenience of examination in close 

 boxes. 



The Garden continues to flourish, and improve in its ap- 

 pearance in a degree which cannot but be highly satisfactory. 

 Allusion has already been made to the various Reports from 

 it, which are published in the present Volume ; the same spirit 

 of examination and investigation will continue to be main- 

 tained, and the chief objects of its institution, the determina- 

 tion of Hardy Fruits, Esculent Vegetables, and Ornamental 

 Trees and Shrubs, and the Exhibition of Horticulture in all 

 its branches, will be steadily followed as far as the means of 

 the Society will admit. Measures which have long been taken 

 for putting the public in possession of .the subjects cultivated 

 in the Garden, have now begun to manifest themselves, in the 

 publication of a Catalogue of Fruits. This has been compiled 

 with the utmost care ; and with a view to its ultimate perfec- 

 tion in succeeding editions, has been sent to every public 

 Garden and Nurseryman in the United Kingdom, in com- 

 munication with the Society, in the hope that it may become 



