REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1920. 
V 
different groups in various parts of the Hall. To the exhibitor the system should 
also be welcome, for under it there should be less chance of a novelty escaping 
notice. It is hoped that exhibitors will do their utmost to carry out this arrange- 
ment by providing duplicates wherever possible, so that one specimen at least 
may be displayed on the special table, while the other takes the place of honour 
in their group. 
14. Conferences. — The Council desires to give notice that it has arranged to 
hold Conferences on November 16, 17, and 18, 1921, on Potatos ; in the Spring 
of 1922 on Saxifrages ; in the Autumn of 1923 on Conifers. 
The Potato Conference is being arranged in conjunction with the Ministry 
of Agriculture and invitations are being issued to all foreign countries and to 
the colonies. 
15. Dry Bullf Meeting. — An appeal has been sent to the best-known growers 
of bulbs in this country for help in making an exhibition of home-grown bulbs 
a success. For the last few years this Show has not met with much support 
among the trade, but there is no doubt that there would be a gratifying demand 
for home-grown produce if an exhibition of bulbs in the Hall gave evidence that 
good specimens were being grown in this country. The Meeting would take 
place in the early autumn. 
16. Trade Fruit Meeting. — It is also hoped to hold next autumn a special 
Exhibition of Fruit packed for market, in order that those Fellows who have a 
knowledge of fruit and who have preferences among the numerous varieties, 
may learn where their favourite varieties are grown and where they may be 
obtained. 
17. War Relief Fund. — Since last year's report the work of supplying seeds, 
tools, a/Ld fruit trees has steadily continued, and the following is an epitome of 
what has been supplied up to the present time : — The total funds collected 
amounted to nearly £45,000, of which £5,000 was contributed by Scotland and 
substantial amounts by our overseas friends. Altogether some 50,000 fruit 
trees, 65,000 garden tools, and 660,000 packets of vegetable seeds have been 
distributed. In addition, Belgium, at the request of its Government, received 
paillassons to the value of £5,500, whilst both Serbia and Roumania were given 
valuable assistance. The quality of everything distributed has given the greatest 
satisfaction, and many favourable reports and letters of grateful thanks have 
been received testifying to the excellence of everything supplied and to the 
invaluable assistance the Society has rendered to the devastated areas. 
The Fund is now almost exhausted, a small balance only being retained for 
the present to meet any liability which may possibly be outstanding. 
18. Examinations. — For the National Diploma in Horticulture, which the 
Society conducts with the approval and support of the Ministry of Agriculture, 
there were 35 candidates, of whom 20 were successful. 
For the School Teachers' Examination there were 603 entries in the Pre- 
liminary Section and 10 for Honours. Of these 454 and 6 respectively passed. 
At the Society's General Examination in Horticulture 47 Juniors out of 95, 
and 136 Seniors out of 180 were successful. 
19. Exchange of Courtesies with America. — The Council has welcomed an 
opportunity which arose in the course of this year for drawing closer the bonds 
which unite garden lovers in this country with those in the United States. Re- 
presentatives, both of the Garden Club of America and of the International 
Garden Club, have visited this country, and the Council has recently sent to both 
these Societies resolutions in favour of cordial co-operation and of throwing 
open both its meetings at Vincent Square and its Gardens at Wisley to those 
members of these American Clubs who happen to be on a visit to this country. 
It was felt that nothing could conduce more to a cordial understanding between 
Great Britain and the United States than that the citizens of the two countries 
should have these opportunities of meeting on the common ground of their love 
of plants and of their interest in gardening. 
20. Lindley Library. — During the year the sum of some £240 has been spent 
in adding books to the Lindley Library, of which the Society is the Trustee. 
Among the volumes purchased are : — 
" Florica Danica," 8 vols. (£10 105.). Blake, "The Complete Gardener's 
Practice, 1664 " (£4 105.). Michaux, " Histoire des Chenes, 1801 " (£5 12s. 6d.) 
