JUNE. 
163 
and a respectably dressed man. Few men administer more to the 
comforts, the elegant refinements, the innocent amusements of the 
wealthy, young and old. How greatly are the enjoyments of country 
life increased by the possession of a well-kept garden, and flowers 
mingle in every scene of festive gaiety and social intercourse. Those 
gay and fascinating Orchids, glittering in the exhibition tents at every 
flower show, whose perfumes fill the senses, and whose fantastic forms 
surprise and gratify the eye, are the result of his patient and persevering 
skill. Those splendid Roses, Pelargoniums, stove and greenhouse 
plants, have sprung from something more than common industry, some¬ 
thing deeper than the ordinary veins of thought. Then turn to those 
Strawberries, Peaches, Grapes, and Pine-apples, produced in and out of 
season, and say whether an Institution for supporting the decayed 
members of such a profession is not deserving of the patronage and 
support of the wealthy. But while seeking the assistance of the wealthy 
we must not forget the great principle of self-reliance. If the nursery¬ 
men and gardeners have not great wealth to bestow, their mite is not 
the less needed, and their labour in obtaining subscribers may become 
a source of wealth. Are we going too far in assuming that the number 
of private subscribers will be regulated in some measure by the number 
of professional? 
Before closing these remarks, there is one point on which a few words 
seem desirable. Notwithstanding the flourishing state of the Institu¬ 
tion, we fear that unless some greater effort be made there will, from 
the working of natural causes, soon be small chance of any candidate 
obtaining relief from the funds who has not previously subscribed to 
the Institution, Alas! it is a cold charity that has nothing to bestow 
but in sources whence something has previously been received ; 
yet we must confess that those who have held out a helping hand to 
others seem entitled to the first consideration. But we will not antici¬ 
pate so hard a necessity. The approaching festival and election of 
pensioners will be a well chosen point of time for the many who have 
not yet supported the Institution to come forward and place such an 
event beyond the reach of probability. 
A Subscriber. 
[We are glad our correspondent has thus so opportunely brought the 
claims of the Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution before the public. He 
is well known as a leading horticulturist and author, and we wish he 
had given his name to the well-timed remarks he has offered. The 
claims of this noble Institution should not go unregarded by those who 
have the means of helping it and are identified with gardening. All 
subscribers of one guinea are entitled to as many votes as there are 
to be elected candidates at each election. A difference of opinion has 
been expressed occasionally through the gardening press as to the utility 
of the annual dinner. Those conversant with the working of it know 
full well that it is the source of considerable revenue to the Institution, 
and that subscriptions ranging from £200 to £300, or more, have been 
collected at each dinner; and we venture to assert that not £20 of this 
amount would have accrued to the society had it not been for the dinner. 
Some have taken alarm because the balance sheet has shown a loss on 
