REPORT OF THE COUNX'IL. 



Vll 



In compliance with a request from certain County Council authorities, 

 the Council of the Society consented to hold a special Examination on 

 January 11, lOOG, for Gardeners employed in the London and other town 

 public parks and gardens. 



13. Local Societies. — A scheme for the affiliation of Local Horti- 

 cultural and Cottage Garden Societies was put forward in 1890, and 

 more than two hundred Local Societies have availed themselves of it. In 

 order to enhance the utility of the Society, the Council have caused a 

 Special Card to be prepared for use by Affiliated Societies for the purpose 

 of granting Certificates or Awards, or for Complimentary Cards of 

 Thanks, Commendation, &c. They have also caused a new Medal to be 

 struck which is only to be used by Affiliated Societies, and which is 

 supplied to them at cost price. The Affiliated Societies have also 

 many other privileges, particulars of which may be obtained from the 

 office. Fellows are reminded of the many and great advantages which 

 Local Societies derive from affiliation with the Royal Horticultural 

 Society, and they are invited to introduce these privileges to the various 

 Societies in their own neighbourhood. 



14. Information. — The Council note with much satisfaction that 

 the number of Fellows seeking information from the Society's officers 

 continues to increase rapidly, and some thousands of answers have been 

 given to inquiries of every description. They would remind Fellows that 

 the officers of the Society are ready at all times to afford any information 

 and assistance in their power to any of the Fellows on matters of horti- 

 cultural interest, such as the identification of plants and fruits, doubtful 

 matters of practice and other similar questions. The Scientific Com- 

 mittee will gladly report on the nature of any botanical, diseased, 

 abnormal, or curious specimens of plants, tic., which the Fellows may 

 submit for their notice. Special seeds are obtained and other inquiries 

 made for members resident abroad. Any Fellow wishing to study any 

 particular branch of gardening operations, or to make any special obser- 

 vations on different subjects at the Garden or elsewhere, should make 

 direct application to the Secretary. 



15. The Society's HalL — The new Hall has exceeded the most 

 sanguine expectations of the Council and Fellows, both in respect of its 

 suitability for the Society's purposes and of the demand for hiring it by 

 other societies and individuals. The past year has been one of com- 

 pletion, improvement, and development. Various minor defects and faults 

 have naturally been discovered, and these have been, or are being, 

 corrected. A stepped platform-superstructure has been made for orches- 

 tral performances, which is almost identical with that formerly used at 

 St. James's Hall. 



16. Legacies ; and Gifts to the Hall.— Two very welcome bequests 

 have been received during the past year, one of £250 under the will of 

 the late Mrs. Begley of St. Peter's Square, Hammersmith ; the other of 

 £50 under the vtII of the late Mr. J. Cohen of St. Mark's Crescent, 

 Regent's Park. The Council venture to remind Fellows of this way of 



