REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOK THE YEAR 1901. 



y 



One hundred Bronze Banksian Medals have also been granted to 

 Cottagers' Societies. 



8. During the past year the Scientific Committee of the Society has 

 been greatly revived and enlarged by the appointment and kind co-opera- 

 tion of many new Members, and the energy and skill which they have 

 devoted to the work are evidenced by the valuable report of their labours 

 issued in the Society's Journal. The Council desire, therefore, to draw 

 the attention of Fellows to the more extended use which this Committee 

 might be to them if they availed themselves more freely of their privileges 

 in submitting instances of diseases ,of or injuries to plants caused by 

 insects or otherwise. The Committee is composed of gentlemen qualified 

 to give the best advice on all such subjects, either in respect to the pre- 

 vention or cure of disease. The Committee is glad to receive specimens 

 of any subjects of scientific interest. 



9. The Society's Great Show held in May in the Inner Temple Gardens 

 (by the continued kindness of the Treasurer and Benchers) was as suc- 

 cessful as ever, and it is a matter of satisfaction to the Council to find 

 that this Meeting is universally acknowledged to be the leading 

 Horticultural Exhibition of this country. The best thanks of the Society 

 are due to all who kindly brought their plants for exhibition, or otherwise 

 contributed to the success of this Show. 



10. The Council have arranged, at the request of the National Tulip 

 Society, for its Exhibition to be held in conjunction with the Society's 

 Meeting on May 20, 1902, and for the National Dahlia Society to hold a 

 Committee Meeting at the Drill Hall on September 23, and a two days' 

 Show on September 2 and 3. The National Auricula and Primula 

 Society will, as usual, hold its Annual Show, in conjunction with the 

 Society's, on April 22, and the Carnation Society will do the same on 

 July 22. Full particulars of these Meetings will be found in the book of 

 Arrangements, 1902. 



11. The Exhibition of British-grown Fruit held by the Society at the 

 Crystal Palace on October 10, 11, and 12 was, from an educational point 

 of view, most satisfactory. Full particulars will be found in Vol. XXVI., 

 Part 4, of the Journal, which will be issued in the course of a few weeks. 



12. As an object-lesson in British fruit cultivation this Annual Show 

 stands unrivalled, and is of national importance. Those who have visited 

 it from year to year cannot fail to have been impressed by the wonderful 

 advance which has been made in the quality of the hardy fruits exhibited ; 

 and as the importance of fruit growing in this country cannot well be 

 over-estimated the Council invite Fellows and their friends to support 

 them in their efforts to maintain and improve this Exhibition by visiting 

 it, and by subscribing to its funds. For it cannot be too widely known 

 that the continuance of the Show is absolutely dependent on at least £100 

 being raised by subscription each year towards the Prize Fund. The 

 Show involves the Society in a very large expenditure without the 

 possibility of any financial return. The Council cannot therefore continue 

 it unless sufficient interest in it is taken by Fellows and their friends to 

 provide £100 towards the Prize Fund. And this will in coming years 

 be even more important than heretofore, as the Directors of the Palace 

 have signified to the Council that they feel compelled to still further 



