REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. 



IX 



19. Autumn Fruit and Vegfetable Shows, 1910.— As already 



announced, the Great Autumn Fruit Show will be resumed in 1910, 

 the date fixed being October 13 and 14. It had been intended to hold 

 a Show of Vegetables at the same or immediately following date, but 

 circumstances have decided the Council to defer the Vegetable Show 

 until Tuesday, October 25. The Schedule of Prizes for both Shows 

 will be issued shortly. 



20. Pritzels' Iconum Botanicorum Index. — This most invalu- 

 able book, containing when first published a list of all the known 

 plates and illustrations of plants, has not been kept up to date, and 

 botanists and horticulturists the wide world over are most anxious for 

 a revision brought up to date. The authorities at Kew have been 

 approached by the Society during the past year with a view to this 

 being done. The estimated cost is about £3,000, and it was suggested 

 that other societies and universities should combine with us to provide 

 the necessary funds, the E.H.S. undertaking to give a handsome pro- 

 portion. Lieut. -Col. Prain, F.E.S., most kindly interested himself in 

 the suggestion, offering all necessary assistance. It is to be regretted 

 that no further promises of co-operation or of funds have as yet been 

 forthcoming, but all hope of this much needed publication will not be 

 abandoned. It is quite possible that some generous friend of horticul- 

 ture and of botany might feel disposed to couple his name with such 

 a permanent and enduring work. 



21. International Exhibition. — From time to time, in recent 

 years. International Horticultural Exhibitions have been held at various 

 centres on the Continent, as at Paris, Berlin, Ghent, Turin, &c. The 

 last occasion on which Great Britain took the part of host in these 

 international courtesies was in 1866, and the Council of the Eoyaf 

 Horticultural Society feel that it is time that our country made an 

 effort to return some part of the hospitality which foreign countries 

 have so often extended to us during the forty years which have elapsed 

 since such a gathering was held in London. It has further been 

 suggested that in connection with it a fourth conference should be 

 held on Genetics — i.e. on the origin, breeding, and heredity of plants. 



22. The Hall. — Many improvements have been made in the Hall to 

 equip it suitably and thoroughly for the growing demand for its occupa- 

 tion. A sound-board has enormously improved the acoustics, it being 

 now possible to address an audience with ease and comfort from 

 beneath it. The old-fashioned arc lamps have been replaced by more 

 modern white enamelled lamps, having an increased illumination; and 

 a finished appearance has been given to the facade by the erection of 

 two handsome bronze standard lamps, one on either side of the main 

 entrance. 



23. Honorary Life Fellows.— Sir William T. Thiselton Dyer, 

 K.O.M.G., F.E.S., and Sir Daniel Moms, K.O.M.G., V.M.H., 



