104 
ON GARDENERS’ SOCIETIES. 
this recreation in the mixed society of a tavern (and such may always 
be found), he most likely will either be disgusted by the reveries of a 
pothouse politician, or annoyed by the private squabbles of the neigh¬ 
bourhood, in which he has no concern. But provide for this person a 
private room, where he might always find new books and occasionally 
meet a company of brethren, he would feel himself at home; because 
he would be among those who, like himself, are in quest of mental and 
professional improvement, all equally willing to give and receive infor¬ 
mation, all intent on the same objects, and all progressing to the same 
goal. Even the ordinary conversation of a company of men engaged 
in the same occupation must be mutually advantageous : many obser¬ 
vations may be made in conversation merely as simple reports, and if 
corroborated, or differently accounted for by any of the hearers, might 
lead to the establishment of a practical principle, unthought of or 
unnoticed before. 
Now, if such accidental results flow from unpremeditated conversa¬ 
tion, how much more might be expected from conversation conducted 
under judicious regulations ? A previously agreed-to code of rules 
would declare the privileges of members taking a part in the conversa¬ 
tion or proceedings of the society; and these rules attended to by the 
members, nothing but the strictest decorum would prevail. Besides, in 
this case, many would come prepared with a question tobe discussed (and 
put either orally or written), or with an answer to what had, perhaps, 
been before mooted in the society. Such opportunity afforded for mutual 
interrogation and reply, for statement and re-statement, for propositions 
and disquisition, would be a high intellectual treat; and would, more¬ 
over, exercise and habituate the mental faculties of the members to look 
for causes as well as the effects of practical rules of gardening, as well 
as of all vegetative phenomena occurring in their business. 
In short, such a society, well organised and conducted, would be 
attended with many advantages to both old and young men ; for, besides 
the mere pleasure of social intercourse, it would diffuse benevolence 
and promote good fellowship—virtues particularly necessary among 
the fraternity of gardeners. 
Seeing then how useful such an association would be, we would 
rejoice to see something of the kind set on foot in the proposed district, 
and readily promise that whatever preliminary steps be taken towards 
the accomplishment of the object shall be duly announced in the 
Register. —Ed. 
On Gardeners’ Societies. —Sir,—It gives us much pleasure to 
see in your two last numbers the lively interest which has been taken 
upon a subject, which must be of vital importance to every friend of 
