KEPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1898-99. vii 
sibility of any return. The Council have therefore established the rule 
that they will not continue it unless sufficient interest in it is taken by 
Fellows and their friends to provide £100 towards the Prize Fund. Sub- 
scriptions for this purpose should be sent at once to the Secretary, 117, 
Victoria Street, Westminster, and if the list prove satisfactory the Schedule 
will be issued in April, and the Show held on September 28, 29, and 30, 
1899. The list of subscribers for 1898 will be published in part 4 of vol. 
xxii. of the Society's Journal. 
A Deputation was sent by the Council, at the invitation of the local 
authorities, to attend the Great Summer Show of the Northumberland, 
Durham, and Newcastle-on-Tyne Botanical and Horticultural Society in 
July. Full particulars of this visit will be found in the Society's Journal, 
vol. xxii. p. cxiii. The Council desire to record the very great pleasure 
which this visit gave them, and their appreciation of the great courtesy 
and hospitality with which they were received. 
An invitation has been received and accepted for sending a small 
Deputation to visit a Show of Daffodils and other early Spring Flowers 
and Produce, to be held at Truro on March 21 and 22, 1899. 
The Journal of the Society has been continued so as to enable Fellows 
at a distance to enter more fully into, and reap the benefits of, the study 
and work of those actively engaged at headquarters. Vol. xxi. part 3, 
and parts 1, 2, and 3, of vol. xxii. were issued during the year, and vol. 
xxii., part 4, will be ready on April 1. 
It is gratifying to record that the enquiry for the Society's Leaflet 
on Fruits for Small Gardens, Cottagers, and Farmers continues. An 
entirely new and enlarged edition has been published, and may be obtained 
at the office at cost price. 
The First Edition of the Book of Rules for Judging and Hints to 
Schedule Makers, which the Society drew up in 1 896, has been exhausted. 
They have therefore been revised and reprinted, and an Appendix on 
Point-judging and Point-value has been issued. Price Is. 6d. 
An examination in the principles and practice of Horticulture was 
held on April 5 concurrently in different parts of the United Kingdom, 
a centre being established wherever a magistrate, clergyman, schoolmaster, 
or other responsible person accustomed to examinations would consent to 
superintend one on the Society's behalf, and in accordance with the rules 
laid down for its conduct. No limit as to the age, position, or previous 
training of the candidates was imposed : 190 candidates presented them- 
selves for examination. The names and addresses of those who succeeded 
in satisfying the examiners, together with the number of marks assigned 
to each, will be found in the Society's Journal, vol. xxii. page 94. 
It is proposed to hold a similar examination in 1899, on Tuesday, 
April 11. Candidates wishing to sit for the Examination should make 
application during February to the Secretary, R.H.S. Office, 117 Victoria 
Street, Westminster. 
The thanks of the Society are also due to all the Members of the 
Standing Committees— viz. the Scientific, the Fruit and Vegetable, the 
Floral, the Orchid, and the Narcissus Committees — for the kind and 
patient attention which they have severally given to their departments. 
The thanks of the Society are also due to all those who, either at home or 
