REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1897-98. 
V 
The Council must again express their opinion that there still 
appears to be a tendency to multiply unduly the awards recom¬ 
mended, and they earnestly request the several Committees to 
consider seriously whether there is not a real danger of impairing 
the value of these distinctions by such increase of their number; 
and whether it would not be possible, as well as politic, to be 
somewhat less generous in the recommendation of awards during 
the ensuing year. This is a question which the Council cannot 
but regard with solicitude, and they hope that every Member of 
the Committee will consider that he has a real individual 
responsibility for the welfare of the Society in this matter. 
On Wednesday, July 14, the Council invited all the Members 
of the several Committees to lunch with them at Chiswick, and 
to examine the Gardens. After the Luncheon, an address was 
delivered by Dr. Maxwell Masters, F.E.S., on the possibilities of 
an extended usefulness of the Gardens. A full account of the 
proceedings will be found in the Journal , vol. xxi., p. 160. 
The Council desire to draw the attention of all Fellows of 
the Society to the more extended use which the Scientific 
Committee might be to them if they availed themselves more 
freely of their privileges in submitting instances of diseases of, 
or injuries to plants, caused by insects or otherwise. The 
Scientific Committee is composed of gentlemen qualified to give 
the best advice on all such subjects, either in respect to the 
prevention or cure of disease. The Committee is also glad to 
receive specimens of any subjects of Horticultural or Botanical 
interest. 
The Council wish to express their thanks to the Director of 
the Royal Gardens, Kew, for allowing them to consult Mr. 
Massee, F.L.S., on the fungoid diseases, &c., brought before the 
Scientific Committee, and to that gentleman for his readiness 
in giving them the advantage of his knowledge and advice. 
That Fellows, whether near or at a distance, may derive as 
much benefit as possible from their connection with the Society, 
the Council have recently appointed Dr. J. Augustus Voelcker, 
M.A., Consulting Chemist to the Society, and have entered into 
an arrangement with him whereby all Fellows who are Amateurs 
or bond fide Gardeners may obtain, at very small cost, analyses 
of Manures, Soils, &c., or advice as to what description of 
Chemical Manure will be most suitable and profitable for 
