THE EOYAL IXTEEXATIOXAL HORTICrLTrRAL EXHIBITTOX, 1912. 521 



only necessary to point out that the Chairman of the Committee is the 

 Eight Honourable A. H. Dyke-Acland, P.C.. who is throwing the 

 greatest energy into the work and that the Secretary is Mr. F. J. 

 Chittenden. A glance through the list of distinguished men forming 

 the Committee will complete the feeling of assurance upon the question 

 of the efficient work to be expected. 



Their labours are divided into two parts, one dealing with horti- 

 cultural education and the other with the scientific side of horticulture. 



There will be no exhibits in connexion with education, but a 

 special building has been allotted to the scientific exhibits and will 

 contain some highly valuable and interesting exhibits under the follow 

 ing sections : — 



(1.) Vegetable physiology. 

 (2.) Genetics. 

 (3.) Economic entomology. 

 (4.1 Economic mycology. 



It may be added that many of the leading investigators on the Con- 

 tinent and in America have also promised their assistance. 



All scientific exhibits will have a bearing on practical horticulture, 

 so that this department of the Exhibition will be of popular interest 

 and not merely a happy hunting-ground for the scientific student or a 

 place of refuge for those who are seeking a quiet spot. 



The Conference, which will be held in the fine Eecreation Hall at 

 the Hospital, will be devoted to two subjects, since it has been deter- 

 mined by the Committee, wisely, it will probably be agreed, that it is 

 much better thoroughly to thrash out two subjects only than to 

 rush frantically through hosts of lectures which no one has time to 

 listen to, much more to criticize. 



I may mention that there were something like forty or fifty papers 

 presented at the Congress of 1866 dealing with subjects, many trivial 

 and uninteresting. 



The first subject for consideration will be the broad question of hor- 

 ticultural education. In preparation for this discussion, the commit- 

 tee is making thorough inquiry into the system of education in horti- 

 culture in this country and the public and private facilities which are 

 open to students. 



It is hoped that an exhaustive report will be completed and ready 

 for placing in the hands of those who attend the Conference to serve 

 as a basis for discussion. Many prominent educationists from the 

 Continent and America have undertaken to assist in the discussion, or 

 to read papers dealing with special points on horticultural education in 

 their own countries. 



Among them are Professor Bailey of Cornell University, and Pro- 

 fessor Dr. Wittmack, of Berlin. 



The second part of the Conference will deal generally with legisla- 

 tion in connexion with plant diseases. Information on this important 

 subject is being obtained both in this country and abroad and will serve 



