NOTICES TO FELLOWS 



cclxv 



THE CHISWICK GARDENS. 



Retkospective. — The Society has throughout its history always been 

 most fortunate in its practical gardens, especially those at Chiswick, which 

 it has occupied for more than eighty years. Originally of some thirty-two 

 acres in extent, the gardens were among the first and best of their kind in 

 the early part of the last century. Here were propagated the plants sent 

 home by the Society's collectors from North America, China, Japan, and 

 South Africa, and hitherto unknown in this country, seeds and cuttings 

 from which were distributed among the Fellows, and through them to 

 the country at large. Besides the many new flowers, shrubs, and trees 

 thus obtained, much practical work and experiments of great and per- 

 manent value to the horticulturists of the land were carried out. Some 

 years ago the extent of the Garden was reduced (by the compulsory sacrifice 

 of the grand Arboretum) to about thirteen acres, and the overdraining, and 

 the smoke -laden atmosphere from the surrounding houses and factories, 

 have in recent years greatly hindered the development of the Society's 

 practical work. When, therefore, Sir Thomas Hanbury so generously 

 offered to purchase the late Mr. G. F. Wilson's garden and land at 

 Wisley for the Society's purposes, his munificent offer was most grate- 

 fully accepted, much as the older members of the Society must naturally 

 regret leaving the old garden home. 



THE WISLEY GARDENS. 



Access. — As announced in the " Arrangements for 1904," Fellows are 

 now free to visit the Gardens, each Fellow's "Personal Pass " admitting 

 himself and two friends, and each " Transferable Ticket " admitting three 

 persons (see note on page 594). Fellows, however, are particularly asked 

 and advised not to go down to the Gardens until after May 1, as it has 

 been found impossible to remove the whole staff from Chiswick till then, 

 and Mr. Wright, the Superintendent, is not yet at Wisley to show Fellows 

 round and to point out plants of special value or interest. 



The gates will be opened at 9 a.m. and closed at sunset. The Gardens 

 will be closed on Christmas Day, Good Friday, and on all Sundays, but 

 not on Bank Holidays. 



The Gardens are situated about 2 miles from Ripley ; and about 

 ^Bou\n S ^ L ° m ^- ors * 8 y and 5 i miles from Weybridge, both stations on the 

 Junction^ 61 ' 11 ^ a ^ wa ^' w ^ ^ re< l uen t trains from Waterloo and Clapham 

 Mr Whit arr * a & es to conve y four persons can be obtained by writing to 

 Weybrido-e 10 m '°P r * etor ' RiP%> Surrey ; the charge being to and from 

 and r f °t >r to anc * ^ rom Hors ^ e y 7s. Excellent accommodation 



Objb entFean be hacl at the Hut Hote1 ' close t0 the harden, 

 devoied^o ^"h""^ ^ aidens are at P resen ^ under construction, but will be 

 especial! °h a cu * ur e of Fruits, Vegetables, stove, greenhouse, and 

 and trial Tl 1 Fl °^ rs and Plants ' Trees ' Shrubs, &c. Experiments 

 shrubs^f S a made in connection witn new ancl 1>are varieties of trees, 

 iha q ' ■ x , flowers > or vegetables, and the results will be published in 

 the Society's Jovial. 



/ 



