THE society's WELCOME TO JAPANESE HORTICULTURISTS. 417 



confidently that the more Enghsh people learn to know of them, the 

 more they will like them. It has never been my good luck to visit 

 Japan, but several of my intimate friends have done so, and it is very 

 gratifying to hear them speak of the warm and hospitable welcome 

 they invariably receive in that country. The Japanese are a people of 

 a sunny and happy nature, possessing a spontaneous gaiety of dispo- 

 sition which we ourselves fully appreciate, but in our less brilliant 

 climate cannot emulate. I am glad the relations existing between our 

 nation and theirs are so cordial. These have now existed for many 

 years, and the tendency is for them to grow warmer. This morning's 

 papers contain information of great importance, namely, that of the 

 conclusion of a new Eusso-Japanese Treaty. This Treaty is likely to 

 be pregnant with advantage for the welfare of the two countries 

 concerned and is calculated to settle present, and obviate future, 

 misunderstandings between them. The- establishment of such relations 

 is a cause of satisfaction to all, especially to countries like .ours with 

 all-important interests in the East. The greatest interest is Peace. 



The Japanese flora has contributed some of our most valued garden 

 plants, including the beautiful Iris Kaempferi, which our visitors can 

 see is almost as well cultivated in England as in Japan. I think nothing 

 is more entrancing in Japanese art than a view of a tea-house enveloped 

 in its graceful covering of Wistaria, and this lovely climbing shrub 

 adorns the walls of many a cottage in Britain. Besides the Wistaria 

 and Iris, Japan has given us many beautiful garden plants and shrubs, 

 such as Chrysanthemums, Lilies, Diervillas, Camellias, Azaleas, and 

 such trees as Paulownia, Maples, Cryptomerias, and other conifers,. 



I have heard a few expressions of disappointment at the Japanese 

 gardens of the Exhibition. May I remind you that these gardens are 

 new ones, only just planted? Anyone with the smallest knowledge of 

 garden-making knows the impossibility of producing a matured garden 

 in so short a period as two to three months. The planning and laying 

 out are excellent, and sufficient to indicate what the gardens would 

 become in a year or two's time. 



There is one other matter I should like to refer to — that iSj the admir- 

 able choice Japan makes of her representatives in Great Britain. I have 

 had the good fortune to know the present Ambassador for many 

 years, and to know him is to have a warm regard for him and a genuine 

 admiration for his distinction as a diplomatist. If the occasion were 

 suitable I might expatiate on the charm of Madame Kato and her 

 daughter. As Ambassadors, Japan has sent us of her best. No fewer 

 than'- three of her representatives here have been successively Foreign 

 Ministers in Japan. 



Your Highness, my Lord, and gentlemen, I ask you to join with iiie 

 in drinking the toast of " Our Japanese Guests and Japanese Horti- 

 culture." 



Dr. BuNJi Mano, responding, said: 



It gives me very great pleasure to say on behalf of the country of 

 j apan how grateful we are for the kindness shown to us by your Society. 



