ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY'S WAR RELIEF FUND, cxlvii 



splendid. Only those who had bons were allowed to pass through and only a 

 few at a time. It was such a happy, well-behaved crowd, they kept in line and 

 just did as they were told. Little Miss Bruges took the bons and gave each one 

 a green ticket for the tree. Miss Clifford presided at the food stall, and that 

 was given first, then on to Miss Robertson for a sheet and a box of seeds. Mrs. 

 Winslow and Miss Chalmers presented the trees, and then they came round the 

 circle and got the tools — two different kinds — from Miss Inglis and Miss 

 Lofts. 



It was a most wonderful sight, I wish you could have seen it. The trees 

 were so big and so long that they were not very easy to manipulate, and there 

 was a lot of fun and laughter over it. The two Sisters were very kind in helping 

 the old people to get their trees outside the gate. Some poor old things could 

 scarcely carry themselves, far less a tree and two garden tools, but they would 

 never consent to leave anything behind. We finished up by 4 o'clock, and I 

 don't think there was a hitch. A few came and said they had been forgotten, 

 but these are to be attended to to-morrow morning. 



I took a little tour round the village this evening and found quite a number 

 of the trees planted and holes being dug for the others. 



It is wonderful the little gardens one finds in amongst the ruins. I don't 

 think there is a family that has not a garden of some kind. 



To-morrow we shall have another big day, and right on until all the trees 

 are delivered. 



With kind regards, 



Yours very sincerely, 



(Signed) Florence B. Jack. 



Such was the scene which was repeated in the twelve districts 

 in which the distribution took place. 



Officially the story of the distribution was told in less romantic 

 language by Mrs. Henshaw in the following report : — 



In accordance with the arrangement made, the British Committee of the 

 French Red Cross very gladly undertook to place its organization in France at 

 the disposal of the R.H.S. War Relief Fund for the distribution of fruit trees, 

 garden implements, and seeds in the devastated regions of France. More than 

 the usual crop of difficulties has been encountered in carrying out this work. 

 The distribution of the seeds was a comparatively simple matter, and, as the 

 supplies were received in good time, the distribution has been effected personally 

 by the ladies of our Relief Sections, who have received innumerable tokens of 

 gratitude from the people, to whom will thus be ensured a good supply of 

 vegetables for the coming season. The supply of implements by the makers 

 was greatly delayed and delivery impeded by dock congestion and by the rail- 

 way strike in France. In spite of this, a great proportion of the implements 

 have been distributed from the different sections, and received with acclamation 

 by the people in the devastated regions. The later consignments of implements 

 were too late to be received and distributed by the personnel of the sections 

 which are to be demolished early in April. These consignments have therefore 

 been sent to the British Committee's Central Store at Compiegne, and will 

 be despatched from there by motor lorry for distribution by the Maires in the 

 different villages to which they are destined. The fruit trees presented the 

 most difficult problem. They have proved to be much larger and heavier than 

 was anticipated, and being beyond the transport resources of the British Com- 

 mittee, the motor lorries of the latter have been supplemented by those of the 

 French Government, which were hired for the purpose. The letter of March 22 

 from our Paris representative, Captain R. E. MacDonnell, to Mr. Hentschel 

 gives in full detail the arrangements made for the transport of the trees 

 from the nurseries. The successful outcome of these arrangements is due to 

 the indefatigable efforts of Captain MacDonnell and his staff. Later reports 

 go to show that the trees have been delivered safely to their final recipients 

 and have, as in the case of the seeds and implements, been received with 

 almost pathetic gratitude to the R.H.S. War Relief Fund, which, by its generous 

 action, has put the final crown to the great international mission of the British 

 Committee in its relief work in the devastated regions of France. The vegetables 

 raised from these seeds, the garden implements in their daily use, and the trees 

 as they grow, blossom, and bear fruit will be a precious souvenir to France of 

 the good-will and sympathy of her greatest Ally. 



