498 KEPOKT OP THE COUNCIL, 



the cultivation of vines, an admirable collection of the best kinds 

 has been secured, from which the inferior sorts are being, by 

 degrees, eliminated, and a very large number of cuttings of the 

 now recognised best sorts, and of other fruit trees, have been 

 distributed. This has been felt by the Fellows, more than ever, 

 to be a solid advantage. 



The Flower and Fruit Committees have, under the superin- 

 tendence of their respective Secretaries, Mr. Moore and Dr. 

 Hogg, carried on their investigations in a most satisfactory 

 manner, as is shown by their reports in the Society's " Pro- 

 ceedings." The Council have reason to know that these reports 

 are regarded as valuable sources of reference by the gardening 

 community. The Council, however, think that the time has 

 now come when the publication of something of a more im- 

 portant character may be tried, and they are taking preliminary 

 steps with this view. 



They have arranged to send a collector to an interesting dis- 

 trict in South Brazil, and have also made arrangements with a 

 collector who is already in South Africa, to collect and transmit 

 seeds and plants to this country. 



The spacious Couucil Eoom in which the Fellows are now met 

 not only furnishes them with a suitable place of meeting, as well 

 as accommodation for their minor shows and competitions, but 

 removes any difficulty as to a hall for the delivery of lectures, and 

 for the reading of papers on scientific subjects, should such be 

 resolved on. 



The Council have given much consideration to the question of 

 the rules of admission, and the decision to which they have come 

 will be found in the Printed Eules, copies of which are now laid 

 upon the table. 



The Council feel it their duty to express their gratitude to 

 Her Majesty the Queen, and H.R.H. the Prince Consort, Presi- 

 dent of the Society. The interest shown by Her Majesty has not 

 alone manifested itself in her gracious commands that the Society 

 be designated " The Eoyal Horticultural Society." Your illus- 

 trious President takes a not less lively interest in its affairs and 

 success. But it is only those who, hke the Council, have had 

 the privilege of seeing the time and thought bestowed by His 

 Eoyal Highness upon the plans of the garden in all their details, 

 who can appreciate the extent of that interest and the advantage 

 the Society has derived from it. 



The Council, on the occasion of the heavy affliction which 



