February 23, 1893. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
147 
CHEYSANTHEMUM GEOWEES 
IN CONFERENCE. 
-X- = 
m\ 
E OR some time past more than ordinary interest has been taken 
in the National Chrysanthemum Society, owing primarily, 
perhaps, to the opinions expressed by various correspondents in 
these columns. As the time for the annual general meeting of the 
members drew near this interest was considerably augmented, 
because it was known that at least one proposition regarding the 
adoption of a new rule, calculated to evoke much discussion, would 
be brought forward. Combining these and other items now known 
to most of our readers, many persons anticipated an unusually 
enthusiastic gathering, and as far as the audience was concerned, 
the most pessimistic attendant could not possibly have cause for 
complaint. The room, by no means a small one, was well filled, 
and whilst “ waiting for the fray ” a thrill of excitement doubtless 
ran through the veins of those most closely connected with the 
Society. But withal the meeting in certain respects was, no doubt, 
disappointing to some of the members. If we except one or two 
discordant notes which were struck, it was an ordinary, remarkably 
well conducted and rather quiet gathering of Chrysanthemum 
growers and admirers. It was nothing more, nothing less ; and 
those who came full of vigour, and with more than a usual amount 
of buoyancy, expecting to hear eloquent expatiations and witness a 
“ wordy war ” were, as we have said, doomed to disappointment. 
True, many points were discussed, and consequently a little dis¬ 
sension arose, but beyond that nothing of an exciting nature 
occurred. 
As signified elsewhere in the present issue, the annual report of 
the Committee gave general satisfaction, and from it we gather 
that the National Chrysanthemum Society, as far as numerical 
strength goes, is in a flourishing condition. There are at present 
620 members on the books, no less than 73 joining during the 
past year. Of affiliated societies there are 100, and these facts, 
in conjunction with the work accomplished during 1892, are 
sufficient to give the surface a gilded appearance. But there is 
another side to the matter, and when the financial statement 
showed a balance of only 5s. 4d. to the good a murmur could be 
heard amongst the members. The receipts during the year 
amounted to upwards of £940, and the expenditure, as the cash 
statement showed, corresponded, leaving a very small balance in 
hand. This, too, notwithstanding, in the words of the Chairman, 
“a large accession of members and affiliated societies, distinctly 
attributable to the correspondence that has been going on in the 
Journal of HortictdtureJ' This statement gives us more satisfac¬ 
tion than surprise, and proves that criticism, properly conducted, 
is beneficial. If it would assist the Society in obtaining still more 
members, and in collecting the subscriptions that are in arrears, 
we shall have pleasure in throwing our columns open for further 
correspondence. We should like very much to be able to record 
a better state of affairs as regards the present financial position 
of the Society. The Auditors, gentlemen of the highest standing, 
bore testimony to the able manner in which the vouchers had 
been prepared for them, and we have reason to believe that 
economy in the management has been strictly considered by the 
Executive. Still, as the Treasurer pointed out in commenting on 
the subject, it is deplorable that the balance is “ only bi. 4d.” 
“ The reserve fund,” said Mr. Starling, “ has not been kept up as 
No. 661.—VoL. XXVI., Third Series. 
it should have been by a national Society.” “ Only 5s. 4d.,” 
repeated the Treasurer; “ is that a good position for such a Society 
to be in?” and albeit the bright picture which Mr. E. C. Jukes 
endeavoured to draw in referring to the arrears of subscriptions, 
a gloom for the time being appeared to hang over the meeting. 
Such is the position of the N.C.S. to-day. Let us hope it will, 
during the current year, rise to that eminence which the cause 
deserves, and secure the support of every Chrysanthemum grower 
in the country. 
Relative to the infusion of “ country blood ” into the man¬ 
agement of the Society, some points that could not be other than 
interesting to a casual observer arose, and particularly so prior to 
the election of the Committee. As has been discussed in this 
Journal, there is a desire amongst country members to share 
in the management, and all things considered this is a right and 
just claim. Several growers resident in the country were there¬ 
fore nominated for election, but amongst such a strong metro¬ 
politan force it could hardly be expected that they would be 
successful in securing a place. Mr. Goodacre of Elvaston Castle, 
who was unable to be present, sent a telegram to the Secretary 
previous to the meeting suggesting the nomination of “some good 
growers, such as Messrs. W. Mease, P. Blair, G. Woodgate, and 
J. Lambert.” In reading the telegram, however, Mr. Dean 
remarked that “ Mr. Goodacre had written one or two rather 
warm letters in the Journal of Horticulture^ and it was the opinion 
of a prominent member that such an announcement prejudiced 
many of the electors present. A similar instance occurred on the 
nomination of Mr. C. E. Pearson of Chilwell. At the election 
Mr. Blair secured six, Mr. Lambert three, Mr. Woodgate eleven, 
and Mr. Pearson fourteen votes ; Mr. Mease is not a member, 
and his name was, therefore, withdrawn. Considering the fact 
that there were nearly a hundred present the results as to the 
votes accorded these few country members are significant. Apart 
from this, the system of electing is not exactly satisfactory, and 
we concur with Mr. W. H. Fowler that another method should 
be adopted. In accordance with the rules of the Society, no 
member is allowed to vote for more than twelve candidates, and 
therefore when this is done by simply showing hands there is no 
means of checking the electors if a large number of would-be 
committeemen are nominated. Nor is this all. Under the present 
system it is just possible that the names of twelve of the most popular 
candidates are read out, and these men duly elected before the 
remaining—the less popular—members are mentioned. Mr. Fowler 
suggested electing the Committee by ballot, which should be 
done, and we trust that the method will be adopted. 
The feature of the meeting, however, was the attempt made 
by Mr. Addison to incorporate a new rule among the existing 
ones of the Society. This was the outcome of the “rather 
warm ” letters that have been published in our pages, and was 
to the effect that “ members guilty of dishonourable conduct, or 
conduct likely to bring discredit upon the Society, shall be subject 
to expulsion by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at 
any general meeting.” The proposition, although ably put by 
the mover, met with general disapproval. The possibilities of 
libel actions arising out of such a rule, if it were adopted, were 
discussed with an enthusiasm that would have done credit to an 
assembly of lawyers. We pass no opinion on this matter ; we 
simply record the facts, as we hitherto have done ; but we do fail 
to see what honourable men have to fear, other than its then 
acknowledged necessity, even were such a resolution adopted. 
Mr. Jukes, in strongly opposing the motion, admitted that 
opinions differed, so much so, that “ what one man would 
consider irregularity of conduct another man would think 
perfectly fair.” That is so, it is the way of the world ; and as 
other men, so are lawyers—they differ in their opinions. It is 
just possible that the adoption of a resolution as that referred 
to would not place the Society or the officials in such an awkward 
No. 2317 .—VoL. LXXXVIIL, Old Series 
