CONFERENCE OF SOCIETIES AFFILIATED WITH R.H.S. CXCi 



was four favourable replies only. On the basis of this small beginning 

 application was made to a local landowner who had vacant building 

 plots. We won his sympathy and his willingness to help us as far 

 as he could, with the result that sufficient ground was provided for 

 six plots of 7J rods each at a rent of 5s. a plot yearly. He could not, 

 however, promise its use for a longer period than twelve months. 

 The four applicants forthwith received their allotments. On the 

 same day, before nightfall, the other two plots had been applied for 

 and allotted. The curiosity of passers-by was aroused during the 

 next few days, with resulting applications for similar accommodation. 

 The same owner again generously responded to the demand, and so 

 the work gradually grew until by the end of April no fewer than fifty 

 men had been accommodated with plots of ground. There was a 

 difficulty in providing the necessary fencing. A meeting of the tenants 

 was held, and it was decided that each should deposit the sum of 

 125. 6d. with the Treasurer to meet the cost, and that they should 

 erect it themselves. This so far reduced the expense as to bring about 

 a return of 2s. gd. to each plot-holder, the owner of the land at the 

 same time undertaking that he would refund the cost of the fencing 

 should the land be required before the end of September 1916. 



" Many of the tenants had never grown vegetables before, but 

 with help, infonnation, and guidance received from their neighbours, 

 progress was made and the crops had been splendid. As proof of 

 the success of the undertaking, permission was given at the beginning 

 of this month (October) for the remaining portion of the field to be 

 adopted for this purpose." 



The Conference closed by an exhibition of lantern slides illustrating 

 informal and natural gardening. 



GENERAL MEETING. 

 October 12, 1915. 

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



Fellows elected (19). — Mrs. C. B. Alexander, Rev. J. W. R. Brockle- 

 bank, Mrs. A. Dashwood, Mrs. J. Duff-Coghlan, Mrs. Wilford Fox, 

 Mrs. J. M. Hall, Capt. E. C. Hardy, R.N., Miss A. J. Hawkins, P. Holt! 

 P. Honri, Mrs. R. Le Doux, Lady Lever, G. Lucciarini, Mrs. H. E. 

 Marshall, J. C. Meikle, B. Spires, Mrs. F. C. Stokes, Mrs. Swinfen- 

 Broun, Mrs. Woodd. 



Fellows resident abroad (3). — 0. Bartels (Queensland), James 

 Forbes (Ontario), E. Smith (Manitoba). 



Associates (4).— Miss G. Cliffe, J. W. Collis, Miss G. Hiley, Miss 

 F. M. Sharpe. 



A lecture on " The History of the Classification of the Apple " 

 was given by Mr. E. A. Bunyard, F.L.S. (see p. 445). 



