THE JOUBNAL OP HORTICULTHRE AND COTTAGE GARDENER December 27, 1891. ] 
TO 
OUR REAOEliS. 
“ ‘ There are nae freens like auld freens ’—so says tlie Scottish proverb, and true it is, for every home mail 
that comes brings me an old friend in the shape of the Journal of JloriicuUure." 
Such was the greeting of one of Scotland’s enterprising sons, when he, a few weeks ago, sent us a 
pleasantly descriptive article from far away Central Africa—a land it may be supposed, and is hoped, of 
future gardens, beautiful and profitable. 
If we were to publish a list of places “ where the Journal goes,” it would be somewhat formidable. 
We have been surprised with letters of appreciation from India, Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and 
North and South America since the issue of our last half-yearly index, and of course an enormously 
greater number from home; but we scarcely expected to receive one from the Dark Continent. 
All this is encouraging and satisfactory, and it is our great desire that the Journal of Ho'-ticidture shall 
be regarded as a friend by old and young—garden owners and supporters, as well as garden workers— 
wherever their lot in life may be cast. 
As to the former a valued coadjutor wrote not long ago from one of the richest centres in the 
kingdom, All the best people appear to take the Journal now, and you must have noticed a marked 
demand from this district; it is the favourite paper of gardeners too.” 
By the “best people” our correspondent obviously alluded to persons of wealth and high social 
position; the increased demand had been noted. The Journal of Horticulture is not only the “favourite 
paper” of gardeners in the particular district alluded to, but in many. Numbers of letters attest this, 
but only one can be cited as typical. It is as follows:— 
“ I desire to thank you for issuing weekly such grand, practical, gardening truths. In the 
Journal of Horticulture there is always something both good and new, enabling me and all young 
gardeners who read it (and all should read it) to pursue our calling so as to be able to manage the 
gardens under our charge, not only to the satisfaction of our employers, but in the hope that when we 
may have a call from one of your staff he may be able to record something worthy of note, as has 
been the wont of your experts in their wanderings. Excuse my writing, but ‘ from the abundance of 
the heart the mouth speaketh.’ ” 
The compliments embodied in all such letters we desire to transfer entirely to those who are best 
entitled to them—those experienced gardeners and amateurs who week by week supply information that 
is useful and so much appreciated; our pleasure rests in the privilege of its d stribution. 
We have no alterations to propose; nothing has occurred to render any material change advisable. 
We shall continue in the path that has proved safe, with the intention of not only maintaining but 
increasing the popularity of the “ auld freen’.” Our desire is that it shall be helpful alike to old associates 
who have won, and young aspirants who are seeking, fame in the ancient, yet ever modern, art of gardening. 
May we at this season of friendly greetings—of expressions of goodwill and good wishes—ask the 
acceptance of ours by all our readers for a pleasant close of the waning year and a prosperous future? 
