ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF AFFILIATED SOCIETIES. CGXvii 



hGrticultural world. The E.H.S. would not be behindhand in sympathy 

 with, and in working for and furthering the interests of, this great 

 undertaking, and the powerful horticultural trades were already busy 

 giving- publicity and preparing exhibits for it. The Affiliated Societies 

 could do an invaluable" service by making the Exhibition known in their 

 various localities and by creating an interest amongst their members 

 and the people in general. This might be done by means of discussions 

 at their meetings, references in their local Press, and by lectures; and 

 Mr. Edward White 'would be glad both to provide them with informa- 

 tion and to receive from them suitable suggestions. It is therefore hoped 

 that those present will return to their own local Societies as emissaries 

 from this conference to carry the call to active effort, and so to play 

 their part in what will be an epoch-making event in the history of British 

 horticulture. 



The Chairman then asked for his remarks to be supplemented by 

 the reading of the following letter from Mr. White, the Secretary of the 

 International Exhibition : — 



Westminster Chambers, 7 Victoria Street, London, S.W. : 



October 14, 1910. 



Dear Fellow -Secretaries, — I am terribly disappointed that on 

 account of illness I cannot attend the meeting and tell the delegates of 

 the Affiliated Societies all there is to say about the 1912 Exhibition. 



There is no body of gentlemen whom I should meet with more 

 pleasure in connexion with the matter, but in my enforced absence 

 I will endeavour to give a simple record of our doings up to date as 

 well as I can from memory. 



Their Majesties the King and Queen are most hopeful of being able 

 to open the Exhibition, but cannot, of course, actually pledge them- 

 selves to the date so long beforehand. 



The King and Queen and practically all the Eoyal Family are 

 patrons. 



Most of the influential people of the country have agreed to become 

 vice-presidents, but we are sure to have missed some good names, and 

 I should like any suggestions. 



About one hundred and fifty gentlemen, representing Horticulture 

 generally, have agreed to act on the General Committee. Some further 

 invitations, however, have yet to be sent out, and I am afraid we 

 may have missed some people who ought to be on the list. 



The list of English county representatives or secretaries of Territorial 

 Committees is nearly complete. These gentlemen have been invited 

 to form local Committees. Mr. J. W. McHattie and another, acting 

 as representatives of Scotland, have promised to organize Scottish 

 Committees; Mr. Moore, Irish; and Mr. Maclaren and Mr. Pettigrew, 

 Welsh Committees ; and I hope that people living at a distance from 

 London will recognize in the formation of the County Committees a 

 proof of the desire of the Executive Committee to give every part of 

 the country the right to feel it is actually taking part in the manage- 

 ment of the Exhibition. 



