REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1897-98. V 



The Council must again express their opinion that there still 

 appears to be a tendency to multiply unduly the awards recom- 

 mended, and they earnestly request the several Committees to 

 consider seriously whether there is not a real danger of impairing 

 the value of these distinctions by such increase of their number ; 

 and whether it would not be possible, as well as politic, to be 

 somewhat less generous in the recommendation of awards during 

 the ensuing year. This is a question which the Council cannot 

 but regard with solicitude, and they hope that every Member of 

 the Committee will consider that he has a real individual 

 responsibility for the welfare of the Society in this matter. 



On Wednesday, July 14, the Council invited all the Members 

 of the several Committees to lunch with them at Chiswick, and 

 to examine the Gardens. After the Luncheon, an address was 

 delivered by Dr. Maxwell Masters, F.E.S., on the possibilities of 

 an extended usefulness of the Gardens. A full account of the 

 proceedings will be found in the Journal, vol. xxi., p. 100. 



The Council desire to draw the attention of all Fellows of 

 the Society to the more extended use which the Scientific 

 Committee might be to them if they availed themselves more 

 freely of their privileges in submitting instances of diseases of, 

 or injuries to plants, caused by insects or otherwise. The 

 Scientific Committee is composed of gentlemen qualified to give 

 the best advice on all such subjects, either in respect to the 

 prevention or cure of disease. The Committee is also glad to 

 receive specimens of any subjects of Horticultural or Botanical 

 interest. 



The Council wish to express their thanks to the Director of 

 the Royal Gardens, Kew, for allowing them to consult Mr. 

 Massee, F.L.S., on the fungoid diseases, &c, brought before the 

 Scientific Committee, and to that gentleman for his readiness 

 in giving them the advantage of his knowledge and advice. 



That Fellows, whether near or at a distance, may derive as 

 much benefit as possible from their connection with the Society, 

 the Council have recently appointed Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, 

 M.A., Consulting Chemist to the Society, and have entered into 

 an arrangement with him whereby all Fellows who are Amateurs 

 or bond fide Gardeners may obtain, at very small cost, analyses 

 of Manures, Soils, &c, or advice as to what description of 

 Chemical Manure will be most suitable and profitable for 



