REPORT OF THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. CCXiii 



The little Gardeners' Diary, prepared by the R.H.S., usually issued 

 at is. a copy, was offered to Affiliated Societies at the rate of gs. 

 a dozen. Secretaries of Societies should send, as early as possible, 

 to the R.H.S., notices of how many they would require at this reduced 

 rate for sale among their members at the usual rate of is. 



The Affiliated Societies' Award Card, which is now attractively 

 printed in colours, was shown to the Delegates present and was 

 greatly admired. It can be purchased from the Society at the rate 

 of ten copies for 55. This card is intended to be used by Local 

 Societies as a record of awards, commendations, &c., and has a blank 

 space left for the name of the Local Society and of the object 

 commended and the name of the producer. 



A paper was presented by the Chairman giving a few further 

 difficulties in Flower Show Schedules, and, as an Addendum, a tenta- 

 tive classification of Stove, Greenhouse, and Hardy Plants. The 

 three lists given in this Addendum were all plants known to have 

 caused confusion under Schedules of Shows. (See page 535.) 

 The Secretary would be glad to hear of any other plants respecting 

 which difficulty has been experienced in placing them under the 

 respective headings. 



To assist Allotment-holders and Cottage Gardeners in their Com- 

 petitions, a set of Rules, with hints to both Exhibitors and Judges, 

 was laid before the Conference. These Rules may be had at twopence 

 a copy, or fifty for ys. 6d. 



A companion Judges' Sheet in a very convenient book-like form 

 was also shown, which can be had for 2s. a dozen. This Judges' 

 Sheet has, in tabulated form, a list of the subjects usually grown in 

 allotment gardens, flower gardens, and for window and wall decoration. 

 The allotments or gardens to be judged are all numbered, and columns 

 are provided in the judging sheet for the points given. The Chairman 

 strongly recommended this Judges' Sheet and the Rules to the atten- 

 tion of kindred Societies. 



The Chairman also said that the Society had approached the 

 Board of Agriculture to consider whether a grant could not be 

 given from the Development Fund to help to secure lectures and 

 lecturers in country districts and for the establishment of small 

 libraries of useful and practical gardening books for the benefit of 

 Local Gardeners' Mutual Improvement Societies. 



The Diploma Examination was mentioned by the Chairman and 

 its purpose explained. 



Mr. Jay, of the St. Barnabas Society, Sutton, gave his report of the 

 progress of his Seed and Manure Club during the past year. He said 

 there were about ninety-seven members in the Club, who contributed 

 between them, in varying amounts not exceeding sixpence a week, the 

 sum of £36. This money had been used for the purchase of manures 

 and seeds, bean rods, pea sticks, &c, which had been procured in large 

 quantities at a substantial discount from ordinary prices. The seeds 

 and manures had been apportioned among the members of the 



