clxxxvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



It is stipulated that no two Societies may combine, and that each 

 Society competing collects all the specimens shown from amongst 

 their own members only, and not from outside. 



First, Challenge Cup to be held for 12 months, and Silver-gilt 

 Knightian Medal ; Second, Silver-gilt Banksian Medal. 



The Cup may be won only once in three years by any one Society ; but the 

 winners may compete for any other prizes offered in this Class. 



N.B. — If the same Societies which won the Challenge Cup in the preceding 

 years 1912 and 1913 again exhibit, and either is considered by the Judges to 

 be 1st, thus again establishing the excellence of their Society's exhibit, a smaller 

 Silver Cup will be awarded by the Council instead of the Medal offered as the 

 2nd Prize. 



1. Challenge Cup. — Colchester and District Gardeners' Association. 



2. Silver-gilt Banksian Medal. — Ipswich and District Gardeners' 

 Association. 



CONFERENCE OF SOCIETIES AFFILIATED WITH THE 

 ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 

 October 6, 1915. 



Dr. Frederick Keeble, F.R.S., in the Chair. 



The following Societies were represented, namely : — 



Twickenham ; Egham ; Croydon Mutual Improvement ; Lewis- 

 ham ; Burnley ; Tooting, Balham, Merton, and Mitcham ; Addlestone, 

 Chertsey, and Ottershaw ; Colchester ; St. Barnabas and Sutton ; 

 Walworth ; Highgate ; Hale End ; Hertford ; Reading ; Eastbourne. 



1. The Chairman, in opening the Conference, said that since the 

 last Conference was held the country had been passing through very 

 strenuous times which were affecting, in a greater or lesser degree 

 according to circumstances, almost every interest and occupation 

 which had existed prior to the War. To this Gardening was no excep- 

 tion. Gardeners, one and all, had had heart-searchings as to what 

 their attitude to their work, or hobby, should be in this time of pressure. 

 There was no doubt that it was everyone's duty first to help the 

 country in its hour of need, and then, secondly, to go about his 

 ordinary routine and occupation with self-possession and hopefulness. 

 This, particularly, should be the attitude of amateurs towards their 

 gardeners and gardens. 



He then briefly reviewed the work which had been done at Vincent 

 Square during the past twelve months to assist Affiliated Societies 

 in their work, to make it progressive, and to increase the facilities for 

 holding meetings and for circulating gardening information. 



The first examinations for the National Diploma in Horticulture 

 had been held, and justified the belief that the Diploma is already 

 recognized as an indication, not of book learning, but of real practical 

 skill. The Diploma has won the support of both young and old 

 gardeners and is bound to be a success ; and indications ^already 



