Vlii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



20. A scheme for the Affiliation of Local Horticultural Societies was 

 put forward a year or two since, and 116 Local Societies have availed 

 themselves of it. In order to enhance the utility of the Society, the 

 Council have caused a Special Card to be prepared suitable for use by 

 Affiliated Societies, for the purpose of granting Certificates or Awards, or 

 for Complimentary Cards of Thanks, Commendation, &c. They have also 

 caused a New Medal to be struck which is to be used by Affiliated Societies 

 only. Details regarding the prices of the Medal and Cards will be found 

 in the book of the Society's Arrangements, 1903, or they can be obtained 

 from the Society's Office, 117 Victoria Street, S.W. The Council 

 express the hope that Fellows will now actively promote the affiliation of 

 Local Horticultural or Cottage Garden Societies in their own immediate 

 neighbourhood. 



21. It will be within the recollection of the Fellows that in the 

 Report for the year 1899, read at the Annual Meeting held on February 

 13, 1900, the Council stated as follows : 



" The subject of the celebration of the Centenary of the Society is 

 attracting considerable attention. After the consideration of various 

 projects (some of which appear impracticable on account of their expense) 

 the Council recommend the acquisition of a New Garden, as being under 

 all the circumstances the best method of celebrating the Centenary." 



The President explained to the Meeting that, after giving the matter 

 the fullest consideration, the Council had come to the conclusion that 

 the provision of a New Hall was not at present financially practicable. 



The adoption of the Report was carried unanimously. 



At a Special General Meeting held on April 25, 1900, the Council laid 

 before the Fellows a proposal (to give effect to the foregoing recommenda- 

 tion adopted in the Annual Report) to purchase a site for the Garden at 

 Limpsfield in Surrey. 



The proposed site did not meet with approval, there being a manifest 

 desire for a Hall ; but the following resolution was nevertheless carried 

 nemine contradicente : 



" This meeting confirms the recommendation of the Council made to 

 and adopted by the (last) Annual General Meeting, viz. : That the 

 Centenary of the Society be celebrated by removing the Gardens from 

 Chiswick, subject to the Council being able to find a new site which 

 recommends itself to the majority of the Fellows." 



Acting on this resolution, the Council at a subsequent Special General 

 Meeting, held on April 23, 1901, laid before the Fellows a proposal to 

 purchase land at South Darenth in Kent. 



After considerable discussion a resolution was carried " that the 

 proposed site is not the best means of celebrating the Centenary of the 

 Society," and in supporting the resolution Mr. H. J. Elwes, F.R.S., 

 une: nationally offered £1,000 if a New Hall were substituted for a New 

 Garden ;is the celebration of the Society's Centenary. Mr. A. W. Sutton, 

 V.M.H., and Mr. N. N. Sherwood, V.M.H., also offered £1,000 each ; and 

 Baron Schroder a day or two afterwards offered £5,000 if a New Hall 

 were adopted. 



After this Meeting the Council felt bound to carry out the manifest 

 desire of the Fellows to build a permanent Home for the Society as the 

 Celebration of the Centenary, and a Committee was appointed to inquire 



