viii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
tion. Dr. Darbishire is now in charge of these important experiments, which 
are being aided by a small grant from the Development Fund. Dr. Darbishire 
is also continuing his work on the comparative chemical composition of varieties 
of garden crops and on collateral questions. Mr. Dowson has commenced an 
investigation of a serious disease of Michaelmas Daisies. Mr. Rawes, in addition 
to work on orchard pollination and experiments upon summer pruning, has 
raised a large number of seedling apples and plums which are being grown on, as 
are the late Dr. Wilson's seedling Rubi, and the seedling vines raised by Dr. 
Keeble and Mr. J. Wilson. Mr. G. F. Wilson has continued his experiments on 
onion fly, and commenced a series of experiments on cabbage root fly and apple 
blossom weevil. An interesting investigation into the comparative value of 
nitrogen as a manure in sulphate of ammonia and various organic substances is 
in progress. A comparison of the incidence of mildew upon roses budded upon 
various stocks leads to the conclusion that the stock has no influence upon the 
susceptibility to mildew. Further experiments upon the factors involved in 
securing high yields of potatos are in progress. Mr. B. Buxton, a voluntary 
worker in the Laboratory, has completed an investigation into the course of 
development of flower buds of the red currant and, with Captain Page, has 
carried out some work upon the spectrum of certain plant pigments. 
33. Horticultural Instruction. — The full number of thirty horticultural 
students is now attending the course of instruction at the Gardens, and the lack 
of a Hostel is acutely felt. Such a hostel should be self-supporting, and a site 
for it can be provided, but the necessary funds for its erection are not available. 
The difficulty of housing has been met for the twenty men disabled in the war 
now training at the Garden in vegetable-growing, etc., by the erection of old army 
huts by the Surrey Agricultural Committee, but the Council feels that similar 
provision would be only a costly, temporary, and unsatisfactory means of meeting 
the deficiency of a hostel. One of the students, Mr. A. E. Sims, was awarded the 
Knott Scholarship for 1920-22. Three others, Mr. F. C. Brown, Mr. W. R. 
Pearson and Mr. G. Wood, won the Wisley Diploma, and four old Wisley students, 
Messrs. A. Simmonds, H. W. Abbiss, W. G. Kent, and B. P. Perry, gained the 
National Diploma in Horticulture. 
34. War Memorial. — During the War twenty old Wisley students met their 
deaths in various parts of the world, and the Council commissioned Sir Robert 
Lorimer to design a fitting memorial. This is now being prepared, and will 
shortly be placed on the wall of the beautiful hall of the Laboratory. 
35. Chemical Analyses. — Until now the privileges of chemical analysis which 
Fellows have enjoyed have been given through Dr. Voelcker, but the Council 
has arranged that in future these analyses shall be done in the Wisley Laboratory. 
The fees payable will be at the same rates as heretofore. 
36. Gifts. — The Council has again to acknowledge most gratefully many gifts 
of plants, seeds (including a set of those collected by the late Mr. Reginald 
Farrer, from Lt.-CoL F. R. S. Balfour) and books for the Library at Wisley, a 
donation towards the cost of apparatus from Mr. B. Buxton, and special con- 
tributions from Messrs. Denny and Thomas towards Garden expenses. Among 
the gifts is a set of Paeonies presented by Mrs. Harding and representing the best 
of those grown in American gardens. These have recently arrived in excellent 
condition and will, when established, add greatly to the value of the large collec- 
tion already in our Gardens, and give an idea oi the standard set by American 
Paeony lovers. 
37. Committees, etc. — Finally, the Council wishes to express its gratitude 
to those Fellows of the Society who have served on one or other of its Com- 
mittees and without whose help the work could not be carried on. The Council 
also owes its thanks to the Press for the way in which it has supported the work 
of the Society and kept it before the public. 
By Order of the Council, 
W. R. DYKES, 
Secretary. 
December 1920. 
