iv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Report of the Conference which is now almost ready for issue will 

 not be sent to all Fellows as an ordinary volume of the Journal, as its 

 deeply scientific character would, it is thought, fail to interest many. As 

 was stated in the u Notices to Fellows " in the Journal issued soon after 

 Christmas, it will be sent to all who took part in the Conference and to 

 those Fellows who shall have made written request for it before February 

 1, 1907. 



3. Research Station and Laboratory at Wisley.— Another 

 feature of the past year has been the actual commencement of the Labora- 

 tory and Scientific Research Station at Wisley. The Council have long 

 felt that such a building with a skilled Director and proper equipment was 

 necessary, not only for the investigation of scientific problems practically 

 affecting horticulture, but also in order that the large number of students 

 attending the Gardens might receive a thorough grounding in elementary 

 chemistry, biology, and other allied sciences as applied to the life-history 

 and development of plant-life. The building and its equipment will, it is 

 estimated, entail a capital expenditure of £1,250 to £1,500, and the 

 Council appeal to all Fellows who recognise the great advantages which 

 science can bestow on practical gardening to assist them in meeting this 

 large outlay. In the United States these research stations are built and 

 supported by the Government, but in Great Britain we are entirely depen- 

 dent on voluntary effort. Mr. Arthur W. Sutton, V.M.H., has most 

 generously promised £100 towards it, and the Council will be pleased to 

 receive any other donations either of money or suitable instruments. 



4. The Finances. — The very satisfactory Balance Sheet which the 

 Treasurer is able to present proves the finances of the Society to be in a 

 thoroughly sound condition. 



5. The President's Portrait.— At the last Annual Meeting Sir 

 Trevor Lawrence, Bart., K.C.V.O., V.M.H., completed his twenty-first year 

 as President of the Society, and it was resolved to celebrate the event by 

 inviting all the Fellows to subscribe towards having their President's 

 portrait painted by Professor Herkomer, R.A., to place in the Society's 

 new buildings ; and also' by establishing in perpetuity a large gold medal 

 to be called " The Lawrence Medal," to be awarded each year to exhibits 

 of a specially meritorious character. In response to this invitation a sum 

 of over one thousand guineas was received. The portrait has been already 

 hung in the Council Chamber, and the execution of the medal is expected 

 to be finished shortly. 



6. Retiring 5 Members of Council.— Under Bye-Law 60 Mr. W. 

 A. Bilney, J.P., Mr. A. L. Wigan, and Mr. Harry J. Yeitch, Y.M.H., the 

 three members of Council who have been longest in office, retire, but are 

 proposed for re-election. 



7. Victoria Medal of Honour. -During the past year six of the 

 holders of the Victoria Medal of Honour in Horticulture have passed 

 away, and the Council elected Mr. Edwin Beckett, Dr. Augustine Henry, 

 Mr. R. Irwin Lynch, Mr. William Marshall, Mr. Thomas Smith (of 

 Newry), and Mr, Harry J. Veitch, F.L.S., to fill the vacancies. 



