PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



to-day, but also on many previous occasions in my quality of a 

 honoraiy corresponding member. I hope I may be permitted to add a 

 few words in connexion with the International Show which is responsible 

 for our presence in London. It is a most unique advantage to assist at 

 such a rare occurrence as an International Horticultural Exhibition in 

 England, which till now has happened only once in a man's life, and 

 consequently very appropriately may be compared with a total eclipse 

 of the sun. The only exceptions to the rule appear to be Sir Trevor 

 Lawrence, your President, and Sir Harry Veitch, both of whom have 

 seen the horticultural sun eclipse twice — namely, in 1866 and again 

 now — and, remarkably enough, being both just as young-hearted, if 

 not quite so active, as they were forty-six years ago. It is, however, 

 not my duty to speak about the Exhibition, although I am certainly 

 entitled to refer to the relation between the Exhibition and the Eoyal 

 Horticultural Society, for all who have the least knowledge of affairs 

 are aware that the Exhibition would not have been possible but for 

 the large-heartedness and liberality of the Society; and as is well 

 known, the Eoyal Horticultural Society is always ready to make a 

 sacrifice for horticulture. The glorious history of this the oldest of 

 horticultural societies furnishes countless proofs thereof, and it is 

 also well known that it had not attained its present prosperity before 

 it came under the able management of the present President and Council, 

 with Mr. Wilks as Secretary. In the period of their reign this beautiful 

 hall has been built, the new trial garden established, the Journal 

 become a very important scientific periodical, and the fortnightly 

 meetings developed into extensive flower shows. The leading men of 

 the E.H.S. also gave the impetus to the great Exhibition which we 

 have all admired. But giving the President and Council all the honour 

 they deserve, I may say that they could not have obtained such 

 marvellous results in any other country except England. There are 

 other countries which may have more perfect horticultural trades 

 organizations, more important horticultural export, better horticultural 

 schools, and more perfect phytopathological services : I am proud to 

 say that in all these respects we are pretty well equipped in Holland, 

 but what neither we nor any other foreign country have, and never 

 will have, is an institution like the Eoyal Horticultural Society of 

 Great Britain. We cannot have it or try to imitate it, because it 

 is based upon one of the most ideal qualities of the British people, 

 from the millionaire to the man in the street, which is not found in 

 nearly such a degree in any other country — namely, an intense and 

 noble passion for flowers and plants, indeed for any of Nature's 

 treasures ; and it is also based on the high average standard of culti- 

 vation to which the British growers and amateurs have attained and 

 which has never been surpassed anywhere else in the world. The 

 Eoyal Horticultural Society has always exercised a mighty influence 

 upon the development of horticulture in all its branches, and your 

 foreign guests are the most sincere admirers of your work and institu- 



