Original Correspondence.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1844, 19 March 1863, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

Our columns being impartially opon, wo do not hold ourselvoa responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents. No notice oan be taken of anonymous communications. Correspondents must therefore furnish their name and address; not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

To the Editor of the Wellington Independent.

Sir. — I see by an advertisement' that a Horticultural Exhibition is to take place next week. It ia rather late, but l 4 better late than nover." As it will make two during the year, the first was as good as could be expected from the short notice given ; and I hope every one that can, will send something to the next, that notwithstanding its lateness, wo may bo enabled to show what the Wellingtonia'ns can do in horticulture and floriculture. From what I hear, I have no doubt but that there will be a good show of apples and pears. I hope the judges will, in passing sentence upon the various products before thorn, bear in mind the necessity of distinguishing between hothouse, greenhouse, and open air culture, as is the custom in England, But my aim in noticing the Exhibition is to call the attention of the working classes to the culture of flowers and vegetables, as they have time both morning and evening to do a little in the cottage garden ; and it is both healthful and profitable, and where a young family is growing up it will stimulate the youthful mind to usefulness and activity. Every one that can. should cultivate a little piece of ground, if it was only as an example to their fainUy. I should be glad to 3ee the Horticultural Society take its stand as it ought to do, separate and distinct from the Agricultural Association, that eacli may bring its products at the right time for show; But while they continue to remain as one Society, let every person do his utmost to foster the institution as one of the (if not), the most useful that can be supported. If carried out as it ought to be, the Secretary should be enabled to correspond with some Society in England, and yearly receive from it. choice seeds for distribution among its members, and to collect from hero seeds and plants in return. England has long stood foremost in these societies, and the benefit arising therefrom has been great ; and continental Europe

is now treading fast after her. I should like that this, our adopted country, though tho youngest of England's colonies, should follow her example in this particular ; and if we do so, wo shall be taking the right step towards a higher degree of civilisation than if wo do not. It will lead tho mechanic and working man not to take a cottage without a small plot of gardon ground, and by that means increase the health of his family, instead of living as some do at this timo, in little boxes not fit for j them ; thoy would then have a few vegetables for sale, in addition to those fov family use. It is well known that many of the working class in England work their cottage gardons with their limitod hours, and also compote successfully at many of the Exhibitions. I therefore urgo upon them to do their utmost to uphold this Society, which of all others increases the comforts of life ; and I would ask tho Committeo of tho present Society to have the subscription for tho horticul- j tural department alono, made 10s 6d, to enable the cottager to join it, for I would rather see 100 members ar that price, than 50 at double, or 25 at ' two guineas each. If the Committee wore to do this, l think they would increase their members very soon.

Veronica.

P.S. — A letter signed "Utilitarian," about small birds appeared in youi 1 paper a few issues ago. Do you know whether the Society has entertained the "question of their introduction ? They are very much required in the Hutt Valley, as inaecta, grubs, slugs, &c, are very numerous there this year.