C.xxviii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It was in March, 1822, 82 years ago, that the Society first rented these 

 gardens from the Duke of Devonshire, the area being then 33 acres, now 

 reduced to 13. Soon after the acquisition of the Chiswick Gardens the 

 Society began to turn them to useful account. As early as 1823 there 

 were no fewer than 1,200 varieties of Eoses cultivated, and valuable 



Fig. 169.— Sik Thomas Hanbury, K.C.V.O., V.M.H. (The Garden.) 



experiments and investigations were made into the best methods of 

 heating glass-houses. At the same time a register of meteorological 

 observations was commenced and carried on for many years. At this time 

 the subscription to the Society was 4/. 4s. a year, coupled with an 

 entrance donation of 6/. 6s. 



