REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1895-96. 



vii 



Mr. S. T. Wright, hitherto of Glewston Court Gardens, Ross, 

 has been appointed Superintendent. 



The Council have thought that for the first year at least it 

 would be best for Mr. Wright to have a perfectly free hand at 

 Chiswick, subject to the control of the Council alone. Whilst 

 therefore expressing their best thanks to the members of the late 

 Chiswick Board, they have decided not to propose the re-appoint- 

 ment of that body for the ensuing year. 



Certain alterations which they hope to be able to introduce 

 into the system at Chiswick will develop themselves as time goes 

 on. It would not be wise to put forth an ambitious programme 

 until Mr. Wright shall at least have had time to become inti- 

 mately acquainted with the Garden, its capabilities, and its con- 

 tents. All practical Gardeners will at once perceive the necessity 

 of allowing 1896 to be a year of what it is hoped may prove 

 unpretentious advance and improvement. 



Eighteen Fruit and Floral Meetings have been held in the 

 Drill Hall, James Street, Victoria Street, Westminster, besides 

 the more extended shows at the Temple Gardens on May 21, 22, 

 and 23 ; at Chiswick Gardens on September 10 ; and at the 

 Crystal Palace on September 26, 27, and 28 ; and lectures have 

 been delivered at fifteen of the meetings, exclusive of those given 

 at the Conferences. The number of awards has been as 

 follows : — On the recommendation of the Floral Committee, 

 22 First Class Certificates against 71 in 1894, 174 Awards of 

 Merit against 225, and no Botanical Certificates against 3. On 

 the recommendation of the Orchid Committee, 48 First Class 

 Certificates against 68 last year, 98 Awards of Merit against 134, 

 72 Botanical Certificates against 21. On the recommendation of 

 the Fruit and Vegetable Committee, 8 First Class Certificates 

 against 15, and 44 Awards of Merit against 12 last year. 



For the simplification of office arrangements and for economy 

 in postage expenses, it has been thought well in future to make 

 the Society's year of work begin and end (as far as allowed by 

 the Charter) with the Annual Meeting in February. For this 

 purpose all Fellows' tickets for 1896 will be available for the 

 January meeting of 1897. The Committees recently appointed 

 will also continue in office until the same date. 



At the request of several amateur growers a Narcissus 

 Committee has been re-established. 



f 2 



