vi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
of national importance, and as an object-lesson in British fruit 
culture it stands out unrivalled. It is needless to enter into 
further details, as full particulars will be found in Vol. XYIII. 
of the Journal, issued at the same time as this Keport. 
To one point, however, connected with the Fruit Show the 
Council desire to draw the special attention of the Fellows and of 
the general public interested in fruit cultivation. The Society 
may well be proud of this show, but it must not be forgotten that 
the holding of the show was due to a very small number of 
gentlemen, who subscribed the £100 asked by the Council 
towards the prize-money before they would consent to embark 
on the scheme. This year (1895) the Council have made 
arrangements with the Directors of the Crystal Palace to again 
hold a similar show ; and they will be glad to receive offers of 
special prizes from any who are interested in British fruit 
culture. Donations towards this fund should be sent at once to 
the Secretary, the Rev. W. Wilks. 
The Council have decided to devote the meeting of October 15, 
1895, entirely to an exhibition of Vegetables. A special schedule 
of the show will be issued in April, together with one for the 
Crystal Palace Fruit Show. 
The Conference on Trees, held at Chiswick on September 25, 
abounded in interesting material and in papers of the greatest 
use to landowners interested in woods and plantations ; but, 
unfortunately, the weather was such as to make it exceedingly 
difficult to examine the multitude of specimens so kindly sent 
by contributors, to whom the best thanks of the Society are 
specially due. 
The Society's general work of scientific experiments and 
investigation, and of the practical trial of various plants, has 
been going on steadily at Chiswick, under the superintendence of 
Mr. liarron. Trials have been made of 40 varieties of Cauli- 
flowers, 80 of Peas, 116 of Strawberries, 55 of new varieties df 
Potatos, and G7 of Tomatos. In the floral department 400 
varieties of Carnations and Picotees, 70 of Pinks, 78 of Cannas, 
GO of Sweet Peas, as well as many Clematis, Campanulas, and 
Mignonette, have been tried. 
The following table will show the Society's progress in regard 
to numerical strength during the past year : — 
