ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF AFFILIATED SOCIETIES. 



ccvii 



unknown to each other, even by name, might be the means of the 

 institution of a national federation. 



As I have before pointed out, exhibiting societies affihated to the 

 Eoyal Horticultural Society share in all the benefits that accrue to 

 societies under the union. Why should not members of Horticultural 

 Mutual Improvement Societies enrolled in union be granted 

 'an equal privilege, at least, of attending the fortnightly lectures? 

 The time is not convenient, but possibly lectures might be specially 

 arranged during the winter months, at such time in the evening that 

 gardeners might be able to attend. The only objection that could be 

 raised would be that only those situated within a limited area could 

 benefit. But if the hope of federation of every horticultural associa- 

 tion in the kingdom were to be realized, courses of lectures could then 

 be arranged in every large centre. 



Gardener members of Mutual Improvement Societies are gener- 

 ally of a more or less studious turn of mind. Probably the use 

 oi the library at Vincent Square would be appreciated if permission 

 to use it were granted. It would afford intending purchasers of books 

 an opportunity of judging their value; lecturers and students might also 

 find it a useful source of reference. The practice of scientific gardening 

 jjis impossible without books. 



: Our Society at Beck'enham is particularly fortunate in possessing 

 1 library where books can be read or borrowed. When it is decided 



: iio purchase new books, members suggest the additions to be made, a 



. sub-committee finally deciding. 



] Good works on gardening are generally expensive, and the wages 

 Df a gardener do not often allow him the privilege of possessing all he 

 may desire; while young gardeners, moving about from place to place, 



. often find them a burden when changing situations. 



Suppose, under the auspices of the Eoyal Horticultural Society, 

 I circulating library could be instituted where books could be borrowed 

 'or a small payment — or payment of carriage — for short terms; 

 nembers of societies, particularly in outlying districts, might then see 

 3ome possibility of real benefit, and decide to unite and share those 

 benefits which the strength of unity can give. 



Discussion. — Mr, Gill, of Wimbledon, said that the circulating 



- antern lectures were too expensive for small societies, and that the 

 ist of lecturers included names of incapable men. He suggested the 

 ormation of a circulating library by the E.H.S. for the use of societies. 

 3e also said that the practise of his Society at Wimbledon was to give 

 )pen welcome to members of other similar societies visiting it. 



Mr. Boshier, of the Croydon Society, and Mr. Thornton, of the 

 Beckenham Society, said that visitors were made welcome at their 

 neetings. 



The Chairman replied that the object which the Council of the 

 l.H.S. had in view in attempting to establish a Union of Mutual 

 mprovement Societies was to establish a union between them them- 

 elves and not to unite them to the E.H.S. — ^that was more the purpose 



