PRESIDENT'S SPEECH; 



V 



We look forward to the end of the War, when our full staff may be restored 

 and enable us to go forward with the programme of work outlined in the Garden 

 Development Scheme, a programme which will then become increasingly necessary 

 and, I hope, increasingly effective. 



The Laboratory is now finished and paid for, and a handsome and useful 

 building it is. And as there is every evidence that in the life of the future the 

 work of the scientist is likely to find a more prominent place side by side with 

 practice, there is every hope for great results — results of which the Society will 

 be justly proud. That we are thus prepared for a better future, and with the 

 lessons which the War has taught us, of the value of applied scientific knowledge 

 in every branch of industry, we feel glad that the work of building the Laboratory 

 was begun when it was, and that it is now ready for most efficient work in the 

 future. 



Notwithstanding the great increase of work of which I have been speaking 

 and thanks to the loyalty, spirit, and energy of the exhibitors, we manage to 

 keep our Fortnightly Meetings well up to the mark, although still debarred from 

 the use of our own noble Hall. 



In the name of the Council and of the Society I wish to thank all those who 

 help us thus to maintain the quality of our Meetings — Meetings which now have 

 been held for more than one hundred years by our fathers and grandfathers, 

 and which we hope to hand down unimpaired for many generations to come. 



The thanks of all present and of all future horticulturists are due to Sir 

 Albert Rollit for securing the institution by the University of London of a Degree 

 in Horticulture. It is a work which will go down to future generations in its 

 process of elevating the horticultural profession and giving rank to the horti- 

 cultural scientist, just as our Society's National Diploma gives rank to the 

 practical gardener. 



By a most happy co-ordination, our Diploma and the University Degree 

 are connected, so that those gaining the Degree will meet personally, during 

 the progress of the examinations, candidates for the Diploma. Thus, those 

 engaged in the practical and scientific sides of horticulture will, in their early 

 student days, be brought into contact with one another, which should lead to a 

 mutual understanding of and interest in each other's work. 



Considering the difficulties connected with the War, I think that all that could 

 be done has been done to maintain the ancient prestige of this great Society. 



Before formally moving the adoption of the Report I should like to tell you 

 that the Council has already approached Captain Bathurst and Lord Rhondda 

 on the subject of sugar for jam from home-grown fruits — a matter which so 

 closely affects almost every one of our Fellows ; and the Secretary tells me that 

 he has received notice of a Resolution to be submitted to this Meeting to-day 

 upon the subject. 



I now beg to move the adoption of the Report. 



This was seconded by Sir Harry Veitch, who explained the satisfactory 

 position of the Society's Finances. 



The Report was then carried, and the following names of President, Vice- 

 Presidents, and Members of the Council and Officers having been duly proposed 

 and seconded, and the list sent round in accordance with Bye-law 74, and no 

 alternative names having been proposed, they were declared by the Chairman 

 to be elected : 



As President. 

 Field-Marshal the Right 

 Hon. Lord Grenfell, 

 G.C.B., G.C.M.G. 



As Treasurer. 

 Sir Harry J. Veitch, V.M.H. 



As Secretary. 

 The Rev. W. Wilks, M.A., 

 V.M.H. 



As Members of Council. 

 Mr. F. J. Hanbury, F.L.S. 



Capt. and Hon. Major C. 

 G. A. Nix. 



r. A. W. Sutton, V.M.H. 



Proposed by 

 Sir Harry J. Veitch, 

 V.M.H. 



Mr. F. J. Hanbury, 

 F.L.S. 



The Rt. Hon. Lord 

 Lambourne, C.V.O. 



Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., 



V.M.H. 

 Mr. A. W. Sutton, 



V.M.H. 

 Mr. F. J. Hanbury, 



F.L.S. 



Seconded by 

 Sir David Prain, CLE., 

 F.R.S., V.M.H. 



Sir Albert K. Rollit, 

 D.C.L.,LL.D., V.M.H. 



Sir Harry J. Veitch, 

 V.M.H. 



Mr. J. Hudson, V.M.H. 



Mr. W. A. Bilney, j.P. 



Sir Albert K. Rollit, 

 D.C.L.,LL.D., V.M.H. 



