GREAT EXHIBITION OF BRITISH-GROWN FRUIT. 



129 



severely, and the abundance of caterpillars and lack of rain 

 during the early summer added to the misfortune, which was 

 completed by the altogether phenomenal winds and rains of the 

 ripening months, August and September. It is calculated that 

 the winds of September alone must have practically destroyed 

 half the crops of all standard and bush trees throughout the 

 United Kingdom. Yet, notwithstanding these untoward cir- 

 cumstances, the Show, if somewhat smaller than in 1895 —a 

 most favourable season — was as large as that of 1894, and the 

 quality of the fruit was, in almost every section that was fairly 

 represented, superb. Seldom have finer coloured apples, larger 

 pears, or better finished grapes been seen, and the quantity and 

 quality, together with the variety of the sources from which 

 they came, were certainly sufficient to demonstrate that, even in 

 the most unfortunate and unfavourable years, our British 

 growers can in almost any part of our islands produce fruit 

 which need not fear — nay, which may fearlessly challenge —com- 

 parison with that produced in any quarter of the globe. 



The Council of the Eoyal Horticultural Society are most 

 anxious to continue this Show annually, but, as has been ex- 

 plained elsewhere and before, they have no possible means in 

 connection with the Show of recouping the Society for the 

 inevitable expense. Its continuance, therefore, from year to 

 year depends entirely upon those who are interested in the 

 matter subscribing a sum of not less than £100 every year 

 towards the Prize Fund. If this be done, Fruit growers may 

 depend upon an annual Show ; if it be not done, the Show must 

 drop out of existence. Subscriptions (or promises of subscrip- 

 tions) to the 1897 Show should be sent to the Secretary, R.H.S. 

 Office, 117 Victoria Street, S.W. The following is the 



LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS TO THE PRIZE FUND, 1896. 



£ s. d. 



Balderson, H., Comer Hall, Hemel Hempstead . . . .110 

 Brown, Rev. J. H., Bedstone Rectory, Bucknell, Salop . . .050 



Browne, Colvile, Hextable 0 10 G 



Bunyard & Co., George, The Royal Nurseries, Maidstone . . 25 0 0 

 Bythway, William, Llanelly . . . . . . . .110 



Chester Paxton Society, Grosvenor Museum, Chester . . . 0 10 0 

 Colman, J., Gatton Park, Reigate . . . . . . .220 



Cotterell, W., Oxon Hoath, Tonbridge 0 5 0 



Day, Jas., Galloway House Gardens, Garliestown, N.B. . . 0 10 f> 

 Digby, J. K. Wingfield, Sherborne Castle, Dorset . . . .10 0 



