MAY 2, 1859. 3 



Society. These measures are all in active operation ; very large 

 numbers of esculent vegetables are under trial, and will be 

 reported on by the Fruit and Vegetable Committee of the 

 Society, several parts of whose proceedings are already in the 

 hands of the Fellows. And the Council take this opportunity 

 of expressing the great obligation they are under to the gentlemen 

 composing this Uommittee, lor me aoie auu zeamua ujauuv.* i„ 

 which their interesting investigations have been conducted. 



The losses sustained by the circumstances just adverted to, and 

 by a continued deficiency of income, had at the last anniversary 

 raised the debt of the Society from 9388Z. 10s. 4d. in 1856, to 

 9986/. 18s. UcL, and the Council felt that unless some final stop 

 was put to this augmentation the financial position of the Society 

 would become serious. They have, therefore, while maintaining 

 the efficiency of the Society, and carrying out the objects for 



directions on the one hand to cut down all heads of expenditure 

 to the lowest possible point, and on the other to realise some part 

 of the Society^s property. 



After the Garden, the great item of expense has been thci 

 House in Eegent Street, which cost 233Z. per annum for Ground 

 Rent, Land Tax, and Rates alone, exclusive of the interest of money 

 borrowed on its security, and the charges incident to so large a 

 residence. They found, moreover, that there was urgent need of 

 extensive repairs. It was therefore resolved once more to sub- 

 mit it to sale by public auction, and the Council have now to 

 report that it has been disposed of for 2960L, to which has to be 

 added 50/. 6s. for fixtures, and 50/. 10s. 6d. for fittings and 

 useless furniture ; making in all 3061Z. 4s. Qd. 



In exchange for this expensive house, chambers at No. 8, St. 

 MARTIN'S PLACE, TRAFALGAR SQUARE, have been 

 taken at a total rental of SOI. a year, including taxes ; and on the 

 present occasion we assemble in the house of the Society of 

 Arts, by permission of the Council of that great institution. 



The inevitable consequence of quitting the extensive premises 

 in Regent Street and hiring a mere office for business, was the 

 sale of the principal part of the large and valuable Library which 

 had been forming during a period of forty years. The Council 

 do not attempt to conceal their regret at this measure having 

 become inevitable ; but they had no alternative. They moreover 

 considered that it would produi 

 applicable to the ' " 



