THE R.H.S. AND THE SEVERAL RAILWAY COMPANIES. H7 



Westminster, and especially on the occasion of the Great Temple 

 Show in the month of May. The Eoyal Horticultural Society 

 has 3,500 Fellows, and it is believed that this number would be 

 immensely increased (probably doubled) were the concession 

 asked for to be conceded by the railway companies. The Royal 

 Horticultural Society has also no less than 96 affiliated Societies, 

 with a membership of probably quite 10,000 persons. Notwith- 

 standing this, the number of Fellows and affiliated Members from 

 the country attending the Drill Hall Shows rarely, if ever, 

 exceeds 150 persons, while the Council is constantly in receipt 

 of letters from the country Fellows of the Society intimating 

 that they would gladly attend the meetings were such a con- 

 cession as that now asked for granted by the railway companies. 

 It is in consequence of repeated and persistent pressure from 

 country Fellows to the above effect, that the present application 

 is made. The Council are strongly of opinion that the railway 

 companies would distinctly benefit by acceding to the request 

 now tendered, and that a regular traffic would be created where 

 one is now practically non-existent. In the case of affiliated 

 Societies it might be stipulated that parties of not less than ten 

 members must unite on each occasion in order to create the right 

 to the concession ; but this, and other matters of detail, would 

 necessarily be settled in the light of the wide experience and 

 practice of the railway companies in such cases. The Council 

 hope that their proposal will receive the favourable consideration 

 of your Board. I beg to inclose card showing the dates, &c, 

 upon which the meetings of the Royal Horticultural Society are 

 held this present year. 



" I beg to remain, yours faithfully, 

 « W. WILKS, 



" Secretary B.H.S. 



" March 8, 1898." 



The replies were all to the same effect as the following : — 



London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway. 



" May 12, 189S- 



" Dear Sir, — In reply to your letter of March 8 last I beg to 

 inform you that your application for cheap tickets to be issued to 



