122 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



much better, and, after all, the fruit is going to be made into 

 pies in winter and spring, so that the preserving its shape is 

 of no great importance — at least in my opinion. If, however, 

 it is desired to keep the fruits all whole and of good shape, 

 when the bottles are filled with fruit they should be filled up 

 about two-thirds with cold water, or with a thin cold syrup, 

 before they are put in the boiler, and this will prevent the fruits 

 mashing at all. 



EXAMINATION IN HORTICULTURE. 



April 6, 1897. 

 EXAMINERS' REPORT. 



To the President and Council of the Royal Horticultural Society. 



Gentlemen, — We beg leave to report that we have examined 

 the papers submitted to us — in all 181. 



Of these we selected 87 as worthy to be placed in the first 

 class, 54 in the second, and 28 in the third. The remainder, 

 12, are not placed ; the number of marks attained being below 

 100. 



The distribution of the examinees were 169 in England, 6 in 

 Scotland, 1 in Ireland, 1 in Wales. 



The present Examination shows a very considerable improve- 

 ment upon the results of that held in 1896. This will be 

 apparent from the following comparison of percentages : — 



Those not classed are only 12 in number, or nearly one-third 

 of that last year (34). 



The percentage of the third class (100 to 149 marks) has 

 fallen from 82-2 (1896) to 15-2 (1897). 



The percentage of the second class (150 to 199 marks) is 

 nearly stationary; viz., 34*8 (1896); 29'8 (1897). 



The percentage of the first class (200 to 300 marks) has made 

 the astonishing increase from 10*5 (1896) to 48*3 (1897). 



These results are most encouraging. Speaking generally, 

 tin answers are extremely well done. The information is 



