REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1915. 
V 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1915. 
1. Effect of the War. — It is satisfactory to be able to report that, 
notwithstanding the War, the work of the Society has been maintained 
to a remarkably successful degree. The full programme, arranged for 
both Vincent Square and Wisley, has thus far been carried through. 
Difficulties have been encountered, but it has been found possible to 
meet them successfully. The development work at Wisley has also 
gone forward, and as the year closes the new Laboratory buildings are 
nearing their completion. 
Nevertheless, the Council view the coming twelve months with 
distinct anxiety, and it is for the Fellows to relieve that anxiety, 
by seeing that there is now no set-back in the important work to 
which the Society stood committed at the time the War broke out. 
One way of doing this is obviously by none of us allowing his Fellow- 
ship to lapse. The Annual Subscription is so comparatively small that 
withholding it can be really necessary to but few ; whilst, on the other 
hand, each subscription is helping to maintain the invaluable work 
of the great Society which the Fellows have been engaged upon, 
during the last 110 years, for the improvement of fruits, vegetables, 
flowers, and garden plants, both in quantity and quality ; in scienti- 
fically investigating plant foods, plant enemies, and plant diseases ; 
and benefiting their own Gardens and the Gardens of Great Britain 
and her Colonies. 
The Council do not intend for one moment to lose sight of the 
practical side of gardening work, but they know that in order to do 
this it is absolutely necessary to keep abreast with the upward 
scientific development which is now entering into, and perfecting, all 
industries and arts ; and because scientific investigation and research 
work slowly, quietly, and unobtrusively, they fear lest many of the 
Fellows should fail to grasp their vital importance in every department 
of modern life ; and in this particular the Council cannot but recognize 
that foreign Governments have been more far-seeing than our own. 
Fellows are asked to remember that the Society is not in receipt of 
any assistance whatever from the Government, financial or other- 
wise. It holds an entirely independent position, and is free to conduct 
its work upon lines which are known to be sound, as directed by 
thoroughly practical as well as able scientific men. At all costs, and 
come what may, the Society must be supported by the Fellows. 
After the efforts of the past century, and particularly the past quarter 
of a century, its work must not be allowed to lapse, nor must it be 
allowed to suffer financial difficulties with their consequent restrictions, 
