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TO OUR READERS. 
At the close of our second volume we observed, that “ a rich harvest was to ho gathered in during the year 
before us.” Half that year is now passed; and in closing our third volume we are animated with every 
grateful feeling, and with all proper pride, for being able to say the harvest work has indeed prospered. The 
labourers have addressed themselves like true adepts to their task, and, in every sense of the term, the in¬ 
gathering has been plenteous. Dropping all metaphor, we think we may confidently ask our readers to 
assent to the assertion, that no gardening periodical ever contained, at a reasonable rate, such a mass of 
sound and useful information as is to be found in our pages. This demonstrates bow efficient have been our 
contributors. The consequence is, that we circulate more widely than any other horticultural periodical; 
and we have abundant testimony, in letters now before us, that the consequences are most gratifying. One 
clergyman, writing from near Newcastle, says :— 
“ Allow me to thank you for tho benefit you are conferring upon (I may say) the country. My profession, of course, 
brings me into constant intercom’se with my people; and I think I can already see an improvement in many respects, 
LQfrom the interest they are beginning to take in tlieir gardens.” 
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Another correspondent, among many who write to the same purport less fully, thus bears similar testimony : 
“ It is now many months since I accidentally met with The Cottage Gardener, and most thankful am I to 
yourself and the other contributors to this excellent little work, which, under so unpretending a shape, publishes so 
luch valuable and practical information. My career, during a period of more than thirty years, passed in most parts 
of the world, has not been a prosperous one ; on retiring from the busy scenes of life, the constantly obtruding re¬ 
trospect of blighted hopes, and opportunities thrown away, would in all probability have converted me into a wretched 
hypochondriac but for The Cottage Gardener. Previous to the perusal of your paper, I took no interest whatever 
in the garden attached to my house ; subsequently, and almost imperceptibly to myself, I found arising in my 
mind a gradual and steady interest as to proceedings there, when about this time last year the man, who for sundry 
half-crowns used to “put my garden in order,” as he called it, disappointed me: without any settled plan or intention 
as to persevering, I was induced to try what I could do myself. Tor the first few days I had divers pains and aches, 
such as might be expected from a person unused to manual labour; however, I persevered, and after a trial of twelve 
months the result is, that I take my spell of three hours at the spade without flagging, nor do I feel very tired 
when the day’s work is over. I have been unremittingly at work summer and winter; and, with the blessing of God, 
I mean to persevere. My guide has been The Cottage Gardener. Of my failure or my success I will say nothing 
at present, but one thing I have already achieved, and for that blessing I can assure you I am most grateful—I mean 
a contented mind. I have, by dint of digging, brushed away all the cobivebs which at one time threatened to get 
the better of my reason. I may add as last, though not least, that I have brought down my doctor’s bill (no incon¬ 
siderable item hitherto) to nil." 
Thus cheered on—thus knowing that we are doing some good in our generation—we go on with renewed 
energy and rejoicing; and we feel assured that at the end of our next volume our readers will not refuse to 
acknowledge that we are not enervated by prosperity. 
