William Carey founded the Agri Horticultural Society of India in the year 1820 on the Alipore Road of Kolkata. The Society includes a flower garden, greenhouses, library and a research laboratory. The Horticultural Society includes a huge collection of plants and flowers. The collection of botanical varieties includes Cannas. The Cannas has a long and significant tradition that attracts the plant and flower lovers. There are various courses offered that involves gardening and cultivation of certain species. These courses held from time to time and open for general public.

In the year 1894, Mr. Parcy Lancaster was ordained as the Secretary of the Horticultural Society. He started the famous Alipore Canna Collection. His son Mr. Sydney Parcy Lancaster followed his father's way until he retired in the 1960's.

In the garden of Horticultural Society an extensive variety of ferns and medicinal plants are grown. A large number of fruits and flowers are grown and harvested that can be brought from the nurseries. The Horticultural Society organizes annual flower shows in winter. The other major seasonal attraction is the training provided in horticulture.