July 5, 1883. ] 
TO OUR READERS. 
We have the pleasure of feeling that the volume of the Journal of Horticulture just completed 
has, as much as any of its predecessors, met with the approval of old and valued friends; many new and 
young readers have sought counsel in its pages, and new and able writers have joined us effectively in 
our work. 
If we adduce testimony of this appreciation it will not be boastfully, but thankfully, inasmuch as our 
pages have been useful; and it enables us to acknowledge our obligations to those friends who have 
spontaneously expressed their goodwill. 
The expressions of approval are voluminous, and we will transcribe at random, ceasing when our 
space is occupied. 
Writing from Durham, a correspondent says :— 
“ I take this opportunity of thanking you for the many pieces of advice you have given me during the nmeteeu 
years I have subscribed to your Journal, and for the great, assistance that advice has been to me.” 
From Yorkshire we have the following: — 
“I wish you to send me the Journal regularly. I am a new beginner as a head gardener, and there is much 
useful information to be had from its pages.” 
Another young gardener in Kent observes:— 
“ I have got charge of a very pretty place, and my employer is a lover of all that is beautiful and curious 111 
gardens. I shall be able to send you useful notes, and wish continued success to the dear old Journal.” 
Yet another writes from Norfolk:— 
“I took charge here in 1880, and found exhausted Vines and inferior fruit. By following the advice given 
in the Journal the old Vines have surprised me with fine bunches, and my employer tells me he lias black Grapes 
for the first time for twenty years. With Mushrooms I failed; but the subject was made plain in your pages, and 
now I can grow them as well as I can grow Lettuces.” 
One more young and rising man in Lincolnshire observes :— 
“I beg to thank you and your staff for the information that has been given me. I consider the Journal of 
Horticulture the friend and counsellor of all who need assistance and are not above asking for it through its columns. ’ 
From a lady we have this note:— 
“ I have so long profited by the study of your most interesting Journal, which has beeu my only teacher in the 
management of my garden, that I feel it ungrateful to add nothing for the use of others.” 
This lady did add something, which we published, and we know it was of great use. 
The next letter, and the last from which we can cite, is from one of the leading gardeners ot Great 
Britain, who writes:— 
“ I hope you will not think I Hatter you when I say that I like your paper better than any other gardenin 
periodical that I read. I had rather do without any of the others than the Journal of Horticulture.” 
We do feel flattered by this testimony, and hope our friendly critic will not do without any of the 
gardening papers. 
All who have aided us we thank cordially. They have the satisfaction of knowing they have not 
laboured in vain; wc have reason to rejoice in the industry and ability of our excellent coadjutors : 
while to our readers we promise that our next volume shall be larger and, if possible, better than any 
we have had the privilege of issuing during a period of thirty-five years. 
