FEBRUARY 11, 1862.' 107 



as to the number of Fellows and their different payraents, that 

 there is a certain number who pay retrospectively. These are 

 Fellows who were elected tit that period in the Society'^ 

 histoiy Avhea the subscriptions, instead of being paid iij advance, 

 were not called for until after the Fellow had enjoyed a year's 

 privileges. It is long] since this system was abolished, but 254 

 Fellows of the period remain. It would obviously be a consi- ' 

 derable convenience in the working of the accounts if some 

 arrangement could be effected with this exceptional class of 

 Fellows, by the individuals composing it voluntarily agreeing to 

 be placed in the same position as others. It would make no " 

 difference in the amount to be ultimately paid by these gentle- 

 men, because on death or resignation their past yearns subscrip- 

 tion would have to be paid, which is not the case with those who 

 pay in advance. 



The next source of income is that derived from the public by 

 means of exhibitions and promenades, &c. The table, No. 5 of the 

 Appendix, shows the amount obtained from this source during the 

 past season, as well as the profit or loss resulting from each 

 occasion. No account is there taken of the expenses of the staff, 

 the rent of the place of exhibition, or other items which in a strict 

 debtor and creditor account would require to be charged. But 

 even after making allowance for this the result is satisfactory : 

 with the establishment which the Society possesses (and must 

 keep at any rate), these attractive entertainments have been 

 provided for the Fellows not only without .putting them to ^ny 

 extra expense, but actually at a profit of £1347 17s. 8tf. 



The Council would wish, where practicable, to make every 

 separate department of expense in like manner contribute to its 

 own support. That part of the Chiswick expenses which is 

 occasioned by the operations of the Fruit Committee, they endea- 

 vour to diminish by the sale of the fruit and vegetables reared for 

 trial purposes; and it will be seen that iJ195 Is. 2d. has been 

 received during the last 8 months ffom this source. In the 

 same way they would wish to make their publications contribute 

 to the cost of producing them ; and they intend that, like those 

 of other eminent Societies, their '' Proceedings," &g., be sold to 

 the public. With the view of rendering them more attractive, it 

 is proposed that illustrative plates be occasionally given. 



Of the items of expenditure, the only one which occurs 

 to the Council as calling for comment is the interest on the 

 debentures. This was originally 5 per cent. Since the original 



