clxxiv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



28. AFFILIATION OF LOCAL SOCIETIES. 



One of the most successful of the many new branches of work under- 

 taken since the reconstruction of the Society in 1887 is the unification of 

 local Horticultural Societies by a scheme of affiliation to the R.H.S. 

 Since this was initiated no fewer than 300 Societies have joined our 

 ranks, and the number is steadily increasing. 



The Parent Society offers annually a Silver Challenge Cup to be 

 competed for by Affiliated Societies. (For alteration of conditions, see 

 " Book of Schedules," under date October 10 and 11.) 



To the privileges of Affiliated Societies have been added all the 

 benefits accruing under the scheme recently introduced for the Union 

 of Horticultural Mutual Improvement Societies. 



Secretaries of Affiliated Societies can obtain on application a 

 specimen of a Card which the Council have prepared for the use of 

 Affiliated Societies for Certificates, Commendations, &c. Price 3s. Qd. 

 for 10 copies, 5s. 6d. for 20, lis. Qd. for 50, 20so for 100. 



The Council have also struck a special Medal for the use of Affiliated 

 Societies. It is issued at cost price in Bronze, Silver, and Silver-gilt — 

 viz. Bronze, 5s. Qd., with case complete ; Silver, 12s. Qd., with case 

 complete ; Silver-gilt, 16s. Qd., with case complete. Award Cards having 

 the Medal embossed in relief can be sent with the Medal if ordered, price 

 Qd, each. 



29. UNION OF HORTICULTURAL MUTUAL 

 IMPROVEMENT SOCIETIES. 



This Union has been established for the encouragement and assistance • 

 of Horticultural Mutual Improvement Societies, the object being to 

 strengthen existing Societies, to promote interchange of lecturers, to 

 provide printed lectures, and if possible to increase the number of these 

 useful Societies. 



A new and revised list of lecturers and their subjects, and a list of 

 typewritten lectures, with or without lantern slides, prepared by the 

 Society, may be obtained from the Secretary, R.H.S., price Bd. 



Lantern slides on horticultural topics are much needed, and their 

 gift will be very much appreciated. 



30. ALTERATIONS IN RULES FOR 

 JUDGING— 1911 CODE. 



The " Rules for Judging, with Suggestions to Schedule Makers and 

 Exhibitors," have been revised, and the new edition is now ready. 

 Special attention is drawn to the amended Rule defining " an amateur," 

 with suggestions for establishing four distinct classes of amateurs to meet 

 the requirements of larger or smaller local Societies. (See also p. 36, 

 " Book of Arrangements.") The "pointing" recommended for fruits and 

 vegetables has also been considerably amended, and the terms "annuals " 

 and "biennials" further explained. The secretaries of local Societies 



