The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1803. Its first secretary was Joseph Sabine, who was responsible for much of its earlier success. The Society initially undertook training of gardeners and sent collectors to foreign countries in search of horticultural rarities. The Society continues to this day, still supporting horticulture, particularly through flower shows.

References:
The Cambridge History of English and American Literature, Volume XIV. The Victorian Age, Part Two. http://www.bartleby.com/224/0833.html.

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