July 28, 1887. ] 
TO OUR READERS. 
The period which the annexed index covers includes an event that will be marked as an historical 
epoch in the nation’s life. 
A circumstance so remarkable as the fiftieth anniversary of the accession of our Sovereign was 
naturally a time of rejoicing, and the great community of horticulturists shared in the joyousness. 
They also gave expression to a desire to commemorate the event in a befittingly practical and appropriate 
manner—increasing the means for benefiting aged gardeners who can no longer labour, and establishing 
a fund for gardeners’ children who may be left without means of support. 
The Gardeners’ Rojal Benevolent Institution has been strengthened and the Gardeners’ Orphan 
Fund originated during the first half of the memorable year of 1887, and we cannot let this pass 
without prominent record. 
And, strongly desirous of seeing those who have toiled in making British gardening what it is 
to-day comfortably circumstanced in the eventide of life, also gratefully feeling that some provision will 
now be made for those helpless children of gardeners who have been called away, we wish to register 
our thanks earnestly and sincerely to all who have shared in the good work alluded to, and in com¬ 
memorating the year of the “ Queen’s Jubilee ” in such a commendable way. 
We also desire to express our deep obligations to “hosts of friends” for their able and willing 
co-operation in the compilation of the pages of this Journal during the same period of time. 
Glad are we to know that those of ripe experience will continue to enrich our pages, and with 
pleasure do we recognise the steady accretion of young aspirants to fame in their calling who give 
promise of becoming worthy coadjutors in the work in which we are all engaged—the promotion of good 
gardening and the advancement of horticulture. 
It is pleasing to know from the best of evidence that the combined efforts of readers, writers, and 
editors fail not in their object in rendering the Journal useful and acceptable. Of this we could give 
much testimony, but content ourselves with a few lines from a “coming man” who writes from a famous 
garden. “The Journal gets better every year; it is the paper for practical men, and everyone in the 
bothies here goes for it as soon as it arrives.” 
There is no mistaking the earnestness in that case, and we know it is typical. We are determined in 
turn to maintain the interest in its pages, and to compel old and young to “go for it” with a zeal that will 
command continuous success. 
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