iv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



o. Letting* Of the Hall.— The Hall, in addition to its being the 

 lightest in London, possesses splendid acoustic properties, and is being 

 eagerly inquired after for Concerts, Bazaars, Shows and other functions ; 

 and the Council trust that when the building becomes thoroughly known, 

 the rents receivable from such lettings will materially help towards 

 meeting the heavy cost for ground-rent, rates and taxes, &c., and general 

 maintenance, all of which would otherwise fall on the Society's annual 

 income. 



6. Wisley Gardens.— The new Gardens at Wisley so generously 

 purchased for the Society's use by Sir Thomas Hanbury, V.M.H., have 

 received much attention. A large range of glass houses has been erected : 

 a new house for the Superintendent and a cottage for the Fruit Foreman 

 have also been built, and extensive water and sewage works have been 

 carried out. Seven acres have been planted with a representative 

 collection of Fruit trees and bushes kindly presented to the Society by 

 Messrs. G. Bunyard & Co., Ltd., Dickson's, Ltd., John Fraser, H. Lane it- 

 Son, Hugh Low & Co., Paul & Son, J. R. Pearson & Sons, Thos. Rivers & 

 Son, W. Spooner & Sons, and J. Yeitch £ Sons, Ltd. 



7. Laboratory for Experimental Research,— The Council are 

 most anxious to be able to erect suitable buildings at "Wisley to serve 

 as a Laboratory for Scientific and Experimental Research in matters 

 pertaining to Plant life, diseases and pests, but they cannot consent to 

 expenditure in this direction in the present financial position of the 

 Society. 



8. The Council. — In the spring of the year, to the regret of his 

 colleagues, the Rt. Hon. the Lord Redesdale felt obliged to tender his 

 resignation of his seat on the Council on account of absence abroad. 



9. Death of Mr. Lloyd. — Later in the year a great loss was 

 sustained through the sudden death of Mr. Frederick G. Lloyd, who was 

 elected to a seat on the Council on December 13, 1898. Daring the 5^ 

 years he has thus been connected with the administration of the Society 

 Mr. Lloyd devoted himself to its welfare and progress, and his death is 

 deeply deplored by all his colleague?. 



10. New Members of Council. Acting in accordance with Bye- 

 Laws Xos. 61 and 62, the Council elected Mr. W. A. Bilney and Sir Albert 

 Rollit, M.P., to fill the vacancies thus caused in their body. 



11. Retiring Members of Council.— Under Dye-Law 60 the three 

 members of Council who have been longest in office retire every year, but 

 are eligible for re-election. The three thus retiring this year are Mr. 

 Alfred H. Pearson, Mr. Geo. Bunyard, and Sir Albert Rollit, M.P. (who in 

 this matter represents the late Mr. F. G. Lloyd). These three gentlemen 

 have been nominated for re-election. The following have been nominated 

 as Yice-Pkesidents, viz. : — 



The Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P. 

 The Right Hon. the Earl of Ducie. 

 The Right Hon. Lord Rothschild. 



