X 



rEOCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



financial difficulties in the City of London in the years 1891-2 he would 

 tlien have succeeded in his project of building a Hall on the Thames 

 Embankment not far from the Temple. Greatly disappointed, the 

 Baron was not disheartened, and no sooner was the question mooted — 

 * ' How shall we celebrate the Centenary of the Society ? ' ' than he 

 answered unhesitatingly, "Build a Hall," and himself secured the 

 present site, and gave £5,000 to the building fund, besides providing 

 all the new book-cases, fittings and furniture for the Library. 



To perpetuate the memory of the Baron, the Council have 

 established a Schroder Life Pensionership, under the Eules and Eegu- 

 lations of the Gardeners' Royal Benevolent Institution, and Mrs. 

 Wildsmith, the vi/idow of an eminent gardener, who did much to help 

 the Society in the difficult years of 1887, 1888 and 1889, has been 

 appointed the first Schroder Pensioner. 



Death has removed many other prominent Fellows during the 

 year. Well known amongst them were Mr. Geo. S. Saunders, F.L.S., 

 P.E.S., a valued Member of the Scientific Committee, and for a short 

 time Editor of the Society's Journal; Lord Decies ; Sir Charles 

 Strickland, Bart.; Louisa Lady de Bothschild ; Max Leichtlin ; C. B. 

 Plowright, F.L.S.; J. Forster Alcock ; Drewett 0. Drewett ; W. J. 

 Nutting; H. A. Tracey; etc., etc. 



25. Victoria Medal of Honour. — Gaps in the ranks of our 

 Victoria Medal of Honour have occurred by the deaths of Mr. W. 

 Boxall, Mr. R. Wilson Ker, Mr. James Mclndoe, Mr. David 

 Thompson, and Baron Schroder. To fill these vacancies the Council 

 have appointed Mr. Coomber, Mr. Cypher, Mr. E. R. Fielder, Mr. H. 

 B. May, and Mr. A. H. Pearson, J. P., all of whom are well known 

 in various branches of Llorticultural work. 



26. Pension Scheme. — A scheme of Annuity Pensions for mem- 

 bers of the Society's Staff has been arranged during the year. The 

 Annuity is provided for by equal contributions from the salaries of the 

 officials concerned and the funds of the Society. Each Pension 

 matiu-es at the age of 65 or at death if occurring before. 



27. The HalL — The Hall has been kept in thorough repair. A 

 travelling jilatform has been added in the highest part of the roof 

 to ensure the safety of the men working there. 



It is intended to redecorate the Hall in August 1911, and it will 

 therefore be closed from August 2 to 28. In consec|uence there will 

 be no Flower Show on August 15. 



•28. Presents. — The Council acknowledge and tender their warmest 

 thanks for the many gifts which have reached them during the year. 

 Valuable contributions have been given to the library; also to be men- 

 tioned are portraits of the late Lord Penzance from Miss Jekyll, and 

 of the late Sir Charles Strickland from his daughter, Mrs. E. A. 

 Willougliby ; the late Mr. George S. Saunders's collections of insects 



