February 15, 1883. ] JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 139 
unacquainted with the true characters of some of the varieties ; if 
it were not so how could Angelina be considered too much like 
both John Salter and Mabel Ward ? To the former at any rate 
it has no resemblance. Another extraordinary coupling is Lord 
Wolseley and Mabel Ward ; indeed, it is doubtful if many com¬ 
petent judges would regard any of the last twenty-six varieties 
in the list as otherwise than distinct enough for purposes of 
exhibiting. 
In a large number of cases the similar or too-much-alike varie¬ 
ties ditfer considerably in the relative number of votes they ob¬ 
tained, some having secured a high place in the first twelve, while 
others have only gained a few second-class votes. To aid in select¬ 
ing the best varieties, those that have been accorded the highest 
number of first-class votes are placed first in each pair, triplet, &c. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
The annual general meeting of this Society was held in the Council 
room, South Kensington, at 3 P.M. on Tuesday the 13th inst., the 
President, Lord Aberdare, in the chair ; and the following members 
of the Council were present—Sir Trevor Lawrence, Bart., M.P. ; Dr. 
Robert Hogg; G-. F. Wilson, Esq.; James McIntosh, Esq.; J. H. 
Mangles, Esq.; E. G. Loder, Esq.; J. Lee, Esq.; W. Haughton, Esq. 
(Treasurer); and Major F. Mason (Secretary). 
The proceedings were commenced by Major F. Mason reading the 
announcement calling the meeting and the minutes of the last annual 
general meeting. Twenty-seven new Fellows were then elected, and 
Messrs. Noble and Wooster were appointed the scrutineers of the 
ballot for the election of officers and Council. 
The annual report having been distributed to the Fellows was 
taken as read, and Lord Aberdare then briefly reviewed the present 
position and future prospects of the Society. He said that at the 
meeting last year the Society was to a certain extent under a cloud, 
and though there had been an improvement in their finances and an 
increase in the number of Fellows, still the cost of the litigation 
incurred on behalf of the debenture holders—viz., £911, was a 
heavy charge upon them. Fortunately, however, certain exceptional 
additions were made to their income, and enabled them to pay the 
whole of the legal expenses. For instance, under the head of Miscel¬ 
laneous Receipts £126 was accredited to the Society in 1881, but in 
1882 under the same head this item had increased to £677 19s. 10d., 
which in the absence of the law difficulties would have left a balance 
in favour of the Society of nearly £500, though a large portion of this 
would have had to be expended upon repairs, which had now been 
undertaken by the Commissioners. 
Referring to the present condition of the Society in reference to 
the South Kensington garden, the Chairman continued that the 
Commissioners, having obtained possession of the garden, had let a 
portion of it for the purpose of the International Fisheries Exhibition 
to be held this season. The Council had consulted with the Committee 
of that Exhibition to determine their relative positions during the year, 
and nothing could exceed the courtesy and liberality with which 
they had been received. The Fellows of the Royal Horticultural 
Society are to have the privilege of visiting the Exhibition, and of pur¬ 
chasing tickets of admission on the opening day for 5 s. The Society 
are to receive three-fourths of the entire receipts at the gates on the 
six days of their Shows, but they will lose the receipts for daily 
admission during the rest of the year, and will at the same time be 
relieved of the cost of the gatekeepers. The garden will be main¬ 
tained in condition by the Society, who will retain the offices, con¬ 
servatory, and space in the grounds for their summer Show rent free. 
His lordship concluded by expressing an opinion that the prospects 
of the Society were hopeful, and would probably steadily improve 
now the chief difficulties had been removed. 
Mr. Guedella, in seconding the motion that the report be adopted, 
said the Fellows were much indebted to the Council for their efforts 
to obtain a satisfactory settlement of the Society’s affairs, but he 
desired to know if any proceedings had been taken to determine the 
future position of the Society in reference to the South Kensington 
garden. 
In reply, Lord Aberdare stated that a Committee had been ap¬ 
pointed by the Commissioners and the Council of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society to consider the matter, but at present, owing to the 
business in connection with the Fisheries Exhibition, they had not 
been able to meet. 
The report was then formally adopted, and as a result of the ballot 
it was stated that Sir Charles W. Strickland, Bart., Sir P. Cunliffe 
Owen, and Colonel Beddome were elected to fill the vacancies in the 
Council caused by the retirement of Colonel R. Trevor Clarke, the 
Rev. H. Harpur Crewe, and J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq. A unanimous vote 
of thanks to the Chairman then brought the proceedings to a close. 
Annual Report, Balance Sheet, and Revenue Account, 1882. 
The judgment of the Court of Appeal, which was communicated 
to the Fellows in a special circular, has necessitated arrangements 
for the present year which have compelled the Council to modify to 
some extent the privileges of the Fellows. The Council trust that 
the Fellows will consider the advantages which have been secured for 
them in respect of the Great International Fisheries Exhibition a fair 
compensation for the privileges surrendered. They wish to record 
their sense of the friendly and liberal spirit in which they were met 
by the Executive Committee of the Fisheries Exhibition. 
The Council hope to be able to arrange for an evening fete, and 
possibly for other additions to the programme which has been circu¬ 
lated among the Fellows, and which they have endeavoured to make, 
from a horticultural point of view, worthy of the Society. 
The Council are fully aware of the undesirability of changing the 
privileges of the Fellows, by whom they are elected and of whose 
interests they are the guardians. They believe that they have in the 
recent negotiations with the Fisheries Committee surrendered as 
little of those privileges and obtained in return as much as was 
practicable. 
In the past year the promenade shows fully maintained the place 
which they had gained in the estimation of the Fellows and the 
public, who attended them in larger numbers than heretofore. The 
lectures, for which the Council feel much indebted, proved generally 
attractive. 
The great show was marred by the absence of exhibits which the 
Council believe would have been shown but for its length (three 
days). The Council have in consequence determined to limit the 
great show this year to two days. 
The useful work of the Society at Chiswick has been continued 
with regularity, and the Council hope that it will prove of permanent 
benefit to horticulture. 
The Chiswick Gardens have been maintained in a high state of 
efficiency. A greater number of Fellows than formerly have visited 
them, and have appeared to take great interest in the work of the 
Society. 
The Fruit Committee have had under examination very large 
collections of Peas and Potatoes, and the season proving favourable, 
the trials were highly satisfactory. Shallots, Lettuces, and Tomatoes 
were likewise tested, but owing to the cold it will be necessary to 
try them again during the present year. 
Five of the Society’s certificates were awarded to new Peas on 
account of their improved qualities, and three certificates to new 
varieties of Potatoes. 
Facilities were afforded to the Committee of the International 
Potato Society for growing and comparatively testing all the new 
varieties of Potatoes submitted to them. 
The Floral Committee trials of the past season included Achimenes, 
Tydaeas, other Gesneraceous plants, Begonias, Lantanas, Pelar¬ 
goniums, Verbenas, Ceanothus, Single and Pompon Dahlias, and 
many other miscellaneous plants. 
The Tea Roses planted two years ago have made satisfactory 
progress. 
The rockery and the collection of alpine and hardy herbaceous 
plants continue to interest visitors. The applications by Fellows for 
plants of this description are steadily increasing. 
Nine hundred and eighty-eight Fellows were supplied with plants, 
&c., as follows :—17,725 plants, 42,803 packets of seeds, 25,271 cut¬ 
tings of Vines, fruit trees, <fec. ; 85,799 total distribution. 
The sales of garden produce, somewhat in excess of previous years, 
appear in the accounts. 
The collection of Raspberries formed last season is very complete 
and promises well. 
A new collection of all the known varieties of Rhubarb has also 
been formed, which will this season be examined and reported on. 
The collection of Figs planted out in the old orchard house as an 
experiment a few years ago did not prove a success. It is therefore 
intended to resume their cultivation in pots. 
It is proposed to plant in the old orchard house a selection of the 
newer American Grapes and other varieties likely to succeed with¬ 
out fire heat. 
The crops of outdoor fruit, although below the average generally, 
were interesting and instructive, a small quarter of young Apple 
trees on the French Paradise stock being laden with fine fruit. 
Strawberries were abundant and very fine ; the Strawberry fete 
held in the Garden being a complete success. 
The crop of Grapes in the conservatory was up to the average, and 
that in the other houses unusually good. 
The Second Annual Exhibition of the Chiswick, Turnham Green 
and District Horticultural Society, under the patronage of the Duke 
of Devonshire, was held in the Gardens under adverse conditions 
as to weather, but was nevertheless well attended. A request from 
the same Society that the Gardens might be used for the holding of 
an evening fete was granted, and a large number of Fellows attended. 
Auditors’ Report. 
31st January, 1883. 
My Lord and Gentlemen,—We have gone very carefully through 
the whole of the accounts of the Society, and we have compared all 
vouchers with the books, and we find them correct and very satis¬ 
factory. 
The books of the affairs at Kensington are kept in a perfect 
manner, and reflect credit on Mr. Dick. 
There are a few slight improvements still to be made in the books 
at Chiswick, which we have explained to the clerk there, and which 
will in future be carried out. 
We regret to find a falling-off in the Fellows’ subscriptions to the 
amount of about £150 in the past year. 
The receipts for produce sold at Chiswick are maintained with a 
slight increase. 
