2 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



present to do all in their power to effect a much -needed reform. 

 In conclusion he desired, on behalf of the Council and Fellows 

 of the Society, to thank all who had contributed to the success 

 of the Exhibition, and he thought that their thanks were 

 especially due to Messrs. Vilmorin et Cie., of Paris, and Messrs. 

 J. Veitch & Sons, of Chelsea, for their magnificent contributions. 

 He would now call upon Mr. Harry Veitch to take the chair at 

 the Conference. 



OPENING ADDKESS BY THE CHAIRMAN, 

 Mr. Harry J. Veitch, F.L.S. 



The Council of the Royal Horticultural Society could not have 

 selected a more important or a more practical range of subjects 

 for exhibition and discussion than that which has brought us 

 together to-day, because it embraces that branch of horticulture 

 which is concerned in the production and improvement of vege- 

 tables used as articles of food, not for the exclusive use of any 

 particular class, but for the common need of the whole com- 

 munity. Its scope, therefore, is the widest possible in horti- 

 culture, and its importance commensurable with its scope ; it is 

 that upon which the most serious care of every gardener is 

 bestowed, and with which his thoughts are most frequently occu- 

 pied. To bring together, therefore, as on the present occasion, 

 specimens of the vegetables produced in different gardens in 

 different parts of the country for comparison, with the view of 

 noting the march of improvement generally, and the direction in 

 which particular progress is being made, affords also the most 

 suitable opportunity and inducement to bring together the 

 gardeners themselves, and I am truly glad to see so many now 

 present. Before, therefore, proceeding with the few remarks I 

 have to make on the business before us, let me first tender a 

 cordial welcome to all the gardeners who have come to this 

 Conference and to this place so rich in its associations with the 

 history and progress of British gardening during the present 

 century, coupled with the sincere wish that they will continue 

 to co-operate with and strengthen the hands of the Society, as 

 the representative and the exponent of the horticultural interest 

 of the country. 



