iv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1912. 



1. International Exhibition, 1912.— The great horticultural event 

 of the year was undoubtedly the Royal International Horticultural 

 Exhibition held at Chelsea on May 22 to 30. The Exhibition 

 owed its inception to our Society, but it was for many reasons 

 thought better that the Society should act as a benevolent god- 

 parent than as the responsible promoter of the Exhibition, which 

 was accordingly organized by a small Public Company, of which His 

 Grace the Duke of Portland, K.G., was the President, Mr. J. Gurney 

 Fowler the Chairman, Sir Jeremiah Colman, Bart., the Treasurer, 

 and Mr. Edward White the Managing Director, the Society standing, 

 as it were, behind them with its subscription of £1000 and its 

 guarantee of £4000. The Council are glad to have been informed 

 that owing to the magnificence of the Exhibition itself, coupled with 

 the exceptionally fine weather all through its continuance, none 

 of the guarantee money will be required, but, on the contrary, a 

 substantial credit balance remains. 



No words can describe the beauty and excellence of the Exhibi- 

 tion, which reflected the utmost credit on all the exhibitors, both 

 British and Foreign, whom the Society's officers did all in their power 

 to assist. 



In addition to the splendid hospitality extended in more immediate 

 connexion with the Exhibition itself, such as the Dinner given by 

 Mr. Leopold de Rothschild at Gunnersbury and the Reception held by 

 His Grace the Duke of Portland and the Garden-party at Sir Frank 

 Crisp's, Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., our President, gave a charming 

 al fresco Luncheon and Reception to the Foreign visitors and others 

 at his beautiful country house and garden at Burford, and the Council 

 held a Banquet in the Society's Hall, to which over eight hundred 

 guests were invited. A Report of this will be found at page xcvi of 

 the Journal, vol. xxxviii. part 2. 



2. Honour to Horticulture. — Following on the mention of the 

 International Exhibition, the Council cannot omit to record the 

 honour done to Horticulture by His Majesty the King in bestowing 

 a Knighthood on Sir Harry Veitch. They are sure that all Fellows oi 

 the Society will rejoice in the distinction thus bestowed upon one of 

 the most active and useful members of the Council. Wherever gardens 

 are valued Sir Harry Veitch's name has long stood in the front rank 

 of those whom we honour and esteem. His energy, enterprise, and 

 success in every branch of horticulture have been most marked, 

 especially in the introduction of valuable new trees, shrubs, and plants 

 for the embellishment of our woods and gardens. 



