XC PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



post from the Exhibitor's nearest Post Office, or be handed in at his 

 nearest or most generally used Railway Station, and dehvered (by 

 the officials of the Railway or Post Office) at Vincent Square, either 

 on the day previous to, or before 10.30 a.m. on the morning of, the 

 Show. In no circumstances may a competitor bring the package 

 or send it by hand, or otherwise convey it farther than his nearest 

 or most usual Post Office or Railway Station. If sent by rail, a post- 

 card addressed to the Secretary, R.H.S. Office, Vincent Square, 

 Westminster, must be sent at once, saying from what station, and at 

 what time, the parcel was despatched. Separate packages, or punnets, 

 may be used inside the parcel if desired, but the whole package must 

 not exceed 18 inches in length, 10 inches in breadth, and 5 inches in 

 depth — all inside measurements. The packages may be of any 

 material so long as they are sufficiently strong, but not too heavy. 



The Council's desire is to obtain a really good and useful lesson 

 in the packing of soft fruits so as to enable them to be sent by post 

 or by pcLSsenger train, and to arrive in a condition suitable for a 

 gentleman's table. The Council will give special awards to exhibits 

 which are in accordance with the above conditions. 



Market growers may compete as well as private gardeners. 



" Soft Fruit " includes such as ripe strawberries, cherries, figs, 

 peaches, and nectarines, and not such as apples, pears, and melons, 

 or unripe plums. Tomatos are excluded. 



24. A NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN HORTI- 

 CULTURE. 



Most gardeners will welcome the initiation by the Society of 

 a scheme whereby a National Diploma in Horticulture may be 

 gained by those who pass the Preliminary and Final Examina- 

 tions which will be required. The Diploma will be thoroughly 

 " National," for by the consent of H.M. Government the Department of 

 Agriculture, after being approached in the matter, consented to co- 

 operate with the Society if the Society would undertake the work of 

 organizing the Examinations, and authorized that the Diploma should 

 bear the following words : Awarded by the Royal Horticultural 

 Society under a scheme approved by the Board of Agriculture." 



The Examinations will be practical, viva voce, and written. The 

 practical part will be held in suitable gardens at convenient centres in 

 the country. The first Diploma Examination was held in June 1914, 

 and will hereafter be held annually. 



Among those for whose benefit the Diploma is established are 

 the following : — Florists, Fruit Growers, Gardeners, Horticultural 

 Inspectors, Horticultural Instructors (not School Teachers giving 

 instruction in other subjects). Landscape Gardeners, Market Gardeners, 

 Nurserymen, PubHc Park Gardeners, and Seedsmen. 



Fuller information may be obtained from the Secretary, Royal 

 Horticultural Society, Vincent Square, S.W. 



