THE affairs of the Royal Horticultural Society alluded to in the last issue of NATURE (p. 145) have lately obtruded themselves upon public attention, but it is probable that some readers of NATURE may consider that they have little concern with such a body. They may look on horticulture in the light of a pleasant pastime, or of a more or less profitable commercial enterprise, they may regard flower-shows as a means for the display of fashionably-dressed ladies, or they may look on the Royal Horticultural Society as an association for the production and distribution of medals and certificates of more commercial than scientific importance. But there are other considerations beyond these, and whilst naturalists may be indifferent to much of the past history and much of the present work of the Society, to the internal dissensions and to the action of the landlord Commissioners towards their unfortunate tenants, the scientific work of the Society may well excite their sympathy. A moment's consideration will show that the progress of horticulture is largely based on the correct application of scientific principles. What is not so familar to most people is the extent of the obligation under which science generally lies to horticulture. Should any reader require an illustration of this, let him turn to the “Origin of Species,” and specially to the “Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication.” There is scarcely a page in the chapters of those volumes relating to plants that does not abound in references to the practices and the discoveries of horticulturists. Fertilization, cross-breeding, hybridization, selection, grafting, the limits and nature of variation, are only a few of the subjects on which horticulture furnishes the largest and in many respects the most trustworthy body of evidence yet available. That these subjects are studied, and that the experiments are made, not so much from a scientific as from a utilitarian point of view, is surely no matter of reproach. On the contrary, it is the business of horticulturists to act as they do, but without the aid of a Society much of the experience gained would be lost to science. All this might be admitted as a general principle, but yet its concrete application to the Royal Horticultural Society might be from various causes inappropriate. The Society in question has, however, distinct and undoubted claims to recognition for the good work it has done in science for a long period of years. The services it has rendered to science by its collectors, and the still greater value of its work in all departments of practical horticulture, should have secured for it more sympathetic and respectful treatment from its landlords. Among Societies deserving of national support and encouragement on the ground of public utility, there are few, indeed, that have greater claims than this. For years it has unfortunately been hampered by the necessity of providing amusement for a body of Fellows and visitors who cared nothing whatever for horticulture in its higher aims. Now there is a chance of the Society bursting its bonds and confining itself to its proper work—the promotion of scientific and practical horticulture. The plan of catering for fashionable idlers has proved disastrous. While horticulture proper was starved, and thousands upon thousands of pounds were utterly wasted, the landlords retain the whole of the property on which their tenants expended so much, and the Society has to seek a new home. In spite of all this, however, a valiant attempt has been made throughout long years of depression to maintain the scientific traditions of the Society. There has always been a small body of Fellows who have been mindful of the obligation which Thomas Andrew Knight, so long the President of the Society, imposed upon his successors. Lindley for forty years maintained the scientific interests of horticulture in the Society, and he was assisted by Royle, by Bentham, and many others. Twenty years ago, or more, a Scientific Committee was appointed, and this body, recruited by new accessions each year, still continues its labours. Under its guidance experiments have been performed in the Society's Experimental Garden at Chiswick; under its sanction have been published numerous Reports of very great scientific interest and importance; and much more might and could have been done but for the lack of means, or rather their diversion for more questionable purposes. The Committee in question consists of some twenty or thirty naturalists of all denominations—botanists, chemists, geologists, entomologists—associated with amateur and professional gardeners interested in science. To this body are referred for discussion and investigation the most varied objects of natural history and vegetable pathology; before this body and its sister committees are brought all new introductions, whether of natural origin, or produced by the skill of the gardener, and which have any scientific interest. Sir Joseph Hooker is the Chairman of this Committee, the Rev. M. J. Berkeley was for many years its Secretary, and a large number of the most eminent biologists, chemists, and geologists have been or still are among its members, giving their services without fee or reward, simply in the interests of scientific horticulture. On these grounds, therefore, the sympathy and co-operation of those interested in science may be claimed on behalf of the Royal Horticultural Society. A new programme has been decided on in principle, a new home must be provided at once, for the purpose of the Society's meetings and for housing the Lindley Library. This library, it may be added, is held in trust for the benefit of the Society, and is from time to time enriched by donations and by purchase, so far as the very meagre income of the Trustees permits. The donations would be much more numerous were it generally known that the library, though primarily intended for the Fellows, yet is under certain restrictions available to outsiders, so that, though housed in the Society's rooms, it cannot be sold or made away with in any financial catastrophe which might overtake the Society. Such a fate, however, seems to be averted at present; the Society's debt is not large, and some members of the Council, or other friends, have made a good beginning by inaugurating a fund, to be used for the housing of the Society, so that ere long we may hope to see the old Society established on a more secure basis, and more potent than ever to advance those interests of science committed to its special keeping.