REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 191 5- xiii 
elected has not exceeded that of the Deaths and Resignations 
combined, or in which the income from Fellows' Subscriptions has 
failed to increase ; and sad to say, 1915 shows a falling off in income 
of £651, which, compared with the last three years' average increase of 
£1,163, shows a total loss from this source alone of £1,814. 
In view of these facts the Council venture very earnestly to urge 
on the Fellows the necessity of enlisting the sympathy of all their 
friends, so that 1916 may to some extent restore the balance in both 
income and numbers, and this could so easily be done if every Fellow 
would endeavour to obtain at least one new recruit to the ranks of the 
Old Society. 
28. Committees &e. — The Society owes a constantly recurring 
debt to the Members of the Standing and Special Committees, Chair- 
men, Judges, Writers of Papers for the Journal, Compilers of Extracts, 
Reviewers, Lecturers, and the several Examiners, who, during the 
past twelve months, have done so much to contribute to the Society's 
usefulness, and to help to maintain its high standing among the 
practical and scientific institutions of the world. 
The Council, whilst thanking, as they do most cordially, all the 
members of the Committees for their kind assistance, think it not out 
of place to remind them that all Committees are appointed to advise 
those who appoint them, whose duty it then is to consider very 
carefully the advice so kindly tendered, and to give effect to it or not 
as in their judgment they consider best for the general welfare of the 
Society. The Council are glad to acknowledge that it is very rarely 
indeed that they are unable to accept the advice tendered by any of 
their Committees ; at the same time, as the governing body of the 
Society, responsible to the Fellows, exceptional cases must in the 
course of years occasionally occur, and it is the duty of the Council 
in such rare instances to exercise the power of decision with which the 
Royal Charter and the Fellows of the Society have endowed them. 
The Council greatly regret that they must at length abandon 
the long-cherished hope of Mr. George Bunyard, V.M.H., being again 
able to resume his place at the head of the Fruit Committee, on which 
he has served so zealously for a period of thirty-five years. The 
Council wish to record the thanks of the Society due to Mr. Bunyard, 
and express the hope that he may enjoy a quiet, restful period in the 
evening of his days. 
The Council desire to cordially acknowledge their obligations to 
their staff, and also to the Press for their invaluable assistance in 
reporting upon, and calling attention to, the work of the Society. 
By Order of the Council, 
W. WILKS, 
Secretary. 
Royal Horticultural Society, 
Vincent Square, Westminster, S.W. 
January 1, 1916. 
