FIRST REPORT 
OF THE 
AUSTRALIAN HORTICULTURAL & AGRICULTURAL SOCIETAL 
In presenting the first Report of the transactions and proceedings of this Society, 
since it was established in December last, its Council has to congratulate the mem¬ 
bers, on the well sustained and increasing success which has attended and rewarded 
their exertions ; and to sincerely and earnestly recommend continued and energetic 
efforts in the same honourable and useful direction, in order that still larger num¬ 
bers may be induced to join our ranks, and in consequence extended usefulness 
attend our movements. 
Before detailing the proceedings which more properly belong to this Society 
since its establishment, the Council deems it right to explain the circumstances 
which immediately led to its formation, as well as to report the transactions of the 
two preceeding societies from the date of their last reports in July 1856, to the 
period of then - dissolution, in order to amalgamate, and form the present body; 
and thus complete the history of horticulture and agriculture for the year 56-57, 
so far as it is connected with metropolitan associations. 
In complying with this dm 3 ', however, the Council has to express its regret that 
the information desired is complete only so far as concerns the Horticultural Im¬ 
provement Society — so far as the Council of the Society has been enabled and 
required to afford” it. The records of die proceedings of the Australian Botanic 
and Horticultural Society (one of the two dissolved and subsequently, amalga¬ 
mated bodies) have not yet been obtained.* This deficiency' the Council regrets 
the more, because they are the records of the elder of the two societies in question, 
and necessarily contain the only historical data of associated movements and at¬ 
tempts made in the colony, for several years, towards the advancement of Horticul¬ 
ture and lundred sciences; and it must be admitted on all hands, that local history, 
particularly in these matters, well studied, would, in all probabilit} T , enable present 
and future” societies of a like nature to avoid those shoals and quicksands, which 
lead to failure, and by avoiding these, to anchor and safely ride in those ports and 
harbours which ensure progress and success. The Council, therefore, wishes it to 
be distinctly understood, that whatever omissions ma}- be made, with regard to the 
proceedings of the last named Society in this Report, are in no way attributable to 
its neglect or management. 
The Council desires it to be understood that any omissions of the detailed pro¬ 
ceedings of the elder Society, since its existence are not attributable to them, while 
compelled to acknowledge the facility which has been afforded to them, as to all 
the proceedings of the Horticultural Improvement Society of New South Wales. 
* Since the above Report was adopted, the Minute Book of the late Australasian Botanic and Horticultural 
Society has been handed to the Secretary, but too late for reference. 
