REPOKT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAH 1899-1900. 
V 
give the best advice on aU sucli subjects, either in respect to the preven- 
tion or cure of disease. The Committee is also glad to receive specimens 
of any subjects of horticultural or botanical interest. 
The Society's Great Show held in May (by the continued kindness of 
the Treasurer and Benchers) in the Inner Temple Gardens was as 
successful as ever ; and it is a matter of satisfaction to the Council to find 
that this meeting is now universally acknowledged to be the leading 
Horticultural Exhibition of this country. The best thanks of the 
Society are due to all who kindly brought their plants for exhibition, or 
otherwise contributed to the success of this Show. 
The International Conference on Hybridisation held at Chiswick and 
at Westminster Town Hall on July 11 and 12 was considered both by 
our home and also by our foreign guests to be an unqualified success, not 
only from the value of the papers read and communicated, but also from 
the pleasant opportunity it afforded for the meeting of horticulturists 
from all parts of the world. The Report of the Conference has been 
unavoidably delayed. It will form a distinct and very valuable volume 
of the Society's Journal. 
The Exhibition of British-grown Fruit held by the Society at the 
Crystal Palace on September 28, 29, and 30 was, considering the very 
unfavourable season, most satisfactory. Full particulars will be found in 
vol. xxiii.. Part 3, of the Journal, which will be issued in the course of 
a few weeks. 
As an object-lesson in British fruit cultivation this Annual Show 
stands unrivalled, and is of national importance. Those who have 
visited it from year to year cannot fail to have been impressed by the 
wonderful advance which has been made in the quality of the hardy 
fruits exhibited ; and as the importance of fruit-growing in this country 
cannot well be over-estimated, the Council invite Fellows and their 
friends to support them in their efforts to maintain and improve this 
Exhibition by visiting it and by subscribing to its funds. For it 
cannot be too widely known that the continuance of the Show is 
absolutely dependent on at least £100 being raised by subscription 
each year towards the Prize Fund. The Show involves the Society 
in a very large expenditure without the possibility of any financial 
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. And this 
will, in the coming year 1900, be even more important than heretofore, 
as the directors of the Palace have signified to the Council that they 
feel compelled to decrease their contribution by £50. A glance at the 
list of subscribers will show how small has been the interest taken by 
the bulk of the Fellows. The Council would point out that this is not 
a local Show with a few large prizes, but that a multitude of small prizes 
have been arranged in order to secure the best fruits in each section; 
special prizes have been allotted to market growers ; and counties have 
been grouped in such a way that growers should not have to compete 
with exhibitors from localities more favoured by climatic conditions. 
These points will be still further extended should sufficient financial 
