^^The  Joubnal  of  Hobticultuke  and  Cottage  Gardenek,  June  30,  1898. 1 
TO  OUE  EEADEES. 
“  Be  silent,  ’tis  an  unerring  way 
When  you  nothing  have  to  say.”  . 
Several  years  ago  the  founder  of  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  introduced  the  above  couplet  as  a 
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heading  to  one  of,  his  half-yearly  prefaces  to  the  index  of  a  completed  volume,  then  one  of  many  which  had 
gone  before. 
He  had  nothing  to  say  beyond  a  brief,  yet  sincere  expression  of  appreciation  of  the  efforts  of  all 
who  had  aided  him  in  its  production — -nothing  but  satisfaction  with  the  position  that  “  our  Journal  ”  had  - 
attained  as  the  favourite  weekly  of  so  many  lovers  of  gardening  in  many  lands — ^nothing  but  confidence  in 
the  future  so  long  as  some  of  the  best  gardeners  and  accomplished  writers  rendered  its  pages  agreeable, 
interesting,  and  useful. 
As  it  was  in  the  past  so  it  is  to-day — the  same  sincere  appreciation  of  the  aid  of  co-workers, 
the  same  satisfaction  to  those  who  are  responsible  for  the  production  of  the  old  favourite,  and  the  same 
confidence  in  the  future.  The  policy  of  the  past  will  be  preserved,  and  no  change  made  except  towards 
improvement,  and  this  in  the  form,  not  of  forcing  methods,  but  of  healthy  natural  growth,  like  that  of 
a  thrifty  tree  deeply  rooted  in  generous  soilj 
And  this  reference  suggests  one  word  more.  Before  the  next  half-yearly  volume  is  completed  the 
Journal  of  Horticulture  will  have  entered  on  its  Jubilee  year.  That  it  has  been  useful  to  thousands  in 
the  past  is  a  fact  we  would  fain  hope  none  will  dispute,  and  we  know  a  host  of  friends  will  wish  for  it  a 
long  career  of  future  usefulness.  ’  , 
