20 president's address. 



cannot afford it !" The usefulness of associations like this has 

 its very origin in the trifling expense at which they may be 

 worked, and the consequently small subscription necessary. 

 Hence Field Clubs, if ours may be taken as a fair example, 

 cannot cooperate in any scheme which would necessitate the 

 setting aside of part of their funds to supply copies of their 

 papers to a wealthy body like the British Association. At the 

 same time every one must admit that the object is worth making 

 some sacrifice for, and one which well merits the thought and 

 labour Sir "Walter Elliot and others are devoting to it. 



" What is the duty of the Club in respect to the remarkable 

 trees that at present exist in the district to which its excursions 

 extend?" is a question that has on several occasions been dis- 

 cussed, and one which has been prominently brought under notice 

 by two of its late Presidents. The rapid development of delete- 

 rious mining and manufacturing operations in Northumberland 

 and Durham is making havoc of their vegetation, and it is there- 

 fore most desirable that trees of interest, either for their size, 

 botanical peculiarities, or historic associations, should without 

 delay be noted and described for the benefit of those who follow 

 us. The subject was formally brought forward at the Long- 

 houghton Meeting in June last, and an influential sub-committee 

 appointed to collect preliminary information. A brief circular 

 was drawn up and widely distributed, and by its means particu- 

 lars concerning about eighty such trees were obtained. Thus 

 furnished, the sub-committee proceeded to consider the matter in 

 its various bearings, and the conclusions arrived at were embodied 

 in a lengthy report presented at the First Evening Meeting. 

 Their recommendations were approved and unanimously adopted, 

 and the carrying of them out was committed to four members of 

 the old Committee with Mr. Atkinson as Chairman. The re- 

 port itself is in the hands of all members, so that I need make 

 no lengthy allusion to it. The record is to consist of photo- 

 graphs and letterpress, both of a size to bind with the Tran- 

 sactions. These are to be issued as rapidly and as fully as the 

 funds contributed for the purpose will permit. As the Club 



