374 Report on the progress of the Horticultural Society, 



their whole attention to the important objects of the association ; 

 and they have now to congratulate the Fellows on a very large ex- 

 tension of the influence and utility of the Society, whilst a reduction 

 of the debt from £20,293 to £12,904 has been effected. 



The practical objects to which the resources of the Horticultural 

 Society are applied may be classed under the following heads : — 



I. The introduction of new, useful, or ornamental, plants. 



II. The establishment and maintenance of a complete collection 

 of authentic specimens of useful or ornamental trees, shrubs and 

 plants. 



III. The determination of the comparative merits of species or 

 varieties either already in cultivation or newly introduced. 



IV. The prosecution of experiments to ascertain the merits of 

 any new processes or methods of cultivation connected with 

 horticulture. 



V. The publication of horticultural papers and reports, either 

 the results of experiments and observations made by the So- 

 ciety, or communications received from Fellows and others. 



VI. The distribution of new horticultural objects amongst the 

 supporters of and contributors to the Society. 



VII. The encouragement of horticulture, generally, by the award 

 of medals and prizes for absolute, or comparative horticultural 

 merit. 



VIII. The instruction of young men in the art of gardening. 



It is proposed to state successively, under each of these heads 

 respectively, the labours of the Society during the ten years which 

 have just elapsed. 



