324 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ Oetober IS, 1887; 
also to see if more cannot be accomplished. In regard to the Institution of 
which we are now celebrating the twenty-first anniversary, it will be in 
the recollection of many that it was founded by three gentlemen, to one of 
whom—Mr. Baker—I should like particularly to refer. He was unfortu¬ 
nately unable to be present here to-night, owing to his residing at so long a 
distance, but I recently had the privilege of spending a very pleasant day 
with him, and in the course of conversation this Society was referred to, 
Mr. Baker expressing his great interest in its progress. The other two 
gentlemen were Messrs. Heale of Hereford, aDd Rhodes of Sydenham, both 
of whom have now passed away. The Society, then, was formed by these 
three gentlemen in 1866, but after a few months it was thought well to add 
to the sick fund a benevolent fund. 
The first object of the Society we find in Rule I., to which I will refer 
you. It is as follows:—“ The objects of this Society are to render assist¬ 
ance to gardeners in time of sickness, calamity, and old age. Firstly, by 
allowing sick pay until the member reaches his 70th birthday, as stated in 
Rules XIV. and XV.; secondly, by assistance from the Benevolent Fund 
after attaining 70 vear3 of age in time of sickness, or in seasons of distress, 
as stated in Rule XVIII.” Nothing more noble than that could, I think, 
enter the thoughts of man. Subsequently to accepting the invitation to 
preside over this meeting I procured a copy of the rules and read them through 
very carefully, and I would say that, connected as I am with several 
benefit societies, I wa3 struck by their liberality. Members can be enrolled 
from 18 to 45 years of age, and after contributing 2s. per month for twelve 
months are entitled to 10s. 6d. per week for six months in case of sickness. 
I would appeal to those present if any rules could be more liberal. Further, 
if members remain ill for a longer period than fifty-two weeks they are 
handed over to ths Benevolent Fund for further assistance. I mention these 
matters to you as showing the very liberal terms of the Society. I also 
asked the Secretary for a few data a3 to the membership of the Society 
from its inception, and these, too, I will place before you. Few joined the 
Society at first. In its first year I gather that there were hut 21 members, 
and the number increased very slowly ; in the second year there were 31, 
in the next 40, and in succeeding years the figures were 41, 43, 42, and 44. 
Things went on in this way until 1876, when I find there were 66 members 
enrolled, in 1882 there were 96, and in 1883,120. When I inquire the reason 
for the rapid increase during these years I am told that it is thanks to the 
cause of the Society being taken up by the Press, and that the result is 
more particularly due to the efforts of the Journal of Horticulture, which, 
by placing the advantages offered by the Society prominently before its 
readers, was the means of bringing in many members. The number at 
the end of last year was, I may add, 177. 
1 now inquire as to the sick pay, and, beginning with 1870, find that 
£16 14s. 6d. was paid in a membership of forty-three; in 1871, with forty- 
two members, £19 18s. 4d. was paid. Then going to 1876, I find £4 5s. 5d. 
paid; and in 1831, with eighty-eight members, only £1 11s. 6d. Thus it 
will be seen the payments vary very greatly. C rtainly the Society’may be 
congratulated-on being in every form in a thoroughly healthy condition. In 
addition, a few inquiries into the payments of the Benevolent Fund show 
us that assistance wa3 given to the widow of a deceased member to the 
amount of £6 10s. 6d., and in 1874-8-9 £18 8s. was expended in a similar 
manner. A somewhat similar case occurring not long ago, that of the widow 
of Mr. McElroy, the late Secretary, may be alluded to particularly. Mr. 
McElroy’s work for the Sooiety was purely a labour of love. Too old to 
become a member of the Society, he yet discharged the duties of Secretary 
for fourteen years, amongst them the most trying years the Society has had, 
and although the rules permit of £20 a-year being paid to the Secretary, 
Mr. McElroy steadily refused to accept anything beyond the small balance 
remaining over the working expenses. We ought therefore to pay an 
earnest tribute to the manner in which Mr. McElroy worked on the Society’s 
behalf. I hope I may be allowed in passing to refer to another institution 
with which I am connected—namely, the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent 
Institution. When asked to come here it wa3 suggested to me that my 
connection with the Society just named would render an acceptance of the 
invitation inadvisable, but I represented to myself that any institution 
having for its object the benefit of our fellow creatures i3 deserving of all 
support. Well, I have received from the Secretary of this Institution, of 
which Mr. McElroy was a member for eighteen years, an intimation to the 
effect that its members hope to put Mrs. McElroy’s name down as a life 
member of the Institution in January next. I should like, in quitting this 
matter, to point out that a gardener being a member of one Institution by 
no means prevents him joining another. 
The next question that arises as to the work of this Society is, “ At what 
coat is it done ?” This, in my opinion, is a very strong point indeed. Well, 
last.year I find that the working expenses were less than 2s. 6d, per head in 
amembership of 177, and the figures speak conclusively as to the admirable 
management of the Society by the appointed officials. Though, as I have 
before remarked, a member of several societies, I know of none worked so 
cheaply as this.. Members presentmay heartily congratulate themselves as 
to the present condition of the Sooiety and as to its future prospects. The 
great object should be to get more members; the present number ought not 
to be considered satisfactory. Amongst thousands of gardeners there are 
but 177 in the Society, and as the Press has been of the greatest assistance 
in the past it.is to be hoped that it will advocate the cause of the Society in 
the future. 
There is one omission in the rules which I should like to call attention 
to—namely, the absence of any provision for making the Society more 
generally known. If concise circulars could be printed—they must not 
ong, or they will not bo read I am afraid—thousands could be dis¬ 
tributed by asking your honorary members to enclose them in their 
packages and hampers after Christmas. Messrs. Laing, Sutton, Williams, 
and other nurserymen would, no doubt, willingly distribute circulars in 
this manner free of cost. If the funds of the Society cannot be devoted to 
the purpose, I would suggest the organisation of a special fund, and will 
gladly give £5 to aid it. The Society provides such great advantages that 
it is a pity it is not more widely known. Numbers would, I am con¬ 
vinced, be only too willing to join. We gardeners are a long-lived family, 
ranking next to parsons, I believe; and perhaps you will suggest that in 
this respect we distinguish ourselves in goo l company. Be that as it may, 
we have much to be thankful for, and as we look a pretty healthy lot, we 
should, if we could present ourselves in a body, no doubt do well. As we 
cannot do this, we must adopt other means of making the advantages of 
the Society better known and securing increased membership [applause]. 
In responding, Mr. Hudson remarked that the officers and friends of the 
Society were deeply grateful to the Chairman for his kind and encouraging 
remarks, and also said how sensible they were of the great assistance that 
had been rendered by the Press, especially by the Journal of Horticulture. 
He considered that gardeners had an undoubted right to a benefit society 
of their own, and that, owing to their necessary sobriety and exceptional 
freedom from sickness, they were placed at a great disadvantage when 
joining the larger mixed societies. He referred also to the fact that no 
entrance fees or fines for non-payment of subscriptions were imposed, and 
there was no difference in the scale of payments at different ages, anyone 
joining between eighteen and forty-five years of age pay at the same rate 
and are entitled to the same privileges. If payments are discontinued after 
the lapse of a specified time the member is not entitled to relief in sickness, 
but the amount standing to his credit is retained, and at the age of sixty it 
is repaid to him without interest, or, in case of previous death, to his nominee. 
By means of the Benevolent Fund also, it is possible to considerably extend 
relief in deserving cases. As an instance, he noted that a widow of a 
member had been recently paid £34, and when she died shortly afterwards 
£20 were voted to the orphans. He had found on calculation that their 
death rate wa9 a very low one—namely, 7 per 1000. At the last annual 
meeting there were 177 members, but they had now advanced to 200, and 
he earnestly hoped that they would some day reach 1000, and he was con¬ 
vinced that this might be accomplished. He concluded by proposing the 
Hon. Members, coupled with the name of Mr. Sherwood, of Messrs. Hurst 
and Son, and observed that there were now twenty-two honorary members, 
as compared with eleven last year. 
Mr. Sherwood returned his most sincere thanks for the honour that had 
been paid him, and observed that he was glad he had accepted the invita¬ 
tion to attend the meeting, as, though he heard but little of the Society 
until recently, he was convinced that it thoroughly deserved the support of 
all who could give it. Its usefulness is undoubted, and the more it is known 
the greater will be its success. 
Mr. W. Roupell in proposing the health of the officers of the Institution 
coupled with the names of Messrs. Wheeler, Cole and Collins, said that their 
motto, “ Union is Strength,” wos an excellent one, and he hoped they were 
all united there in the desire to further the aims of so admirable an institu¬ 
tion, and to signify his willingness to assist he wished to beoome an 
honorary member. He remarked that in the majority of charitable institu¬ 
tions or benefit societies much was wasted in the management, or at least 
was not expended to the full advantage of the members or intended 
recipients. By reference to the balance-sheet of this Society he was, how¬ 
ever, surprised and pleased to see how economically the affairs were 
managed, the only charge being 2s. 6d. per annum for each member. Mr. 
J. Wheeler replied in a few fitting terms, stating that it gave him much 
pleasure to see such a gathering of old and new friends. Mr. Nathan Cole 
also expressed his thanks, observing that he had been present at the birth 
and christening of the Society, and was delighted to see its coming of age 
celebrated in such a remarkable manntr. As one of his friends had stated, 
the Society was in Buch a weakly state at one time that it was proposed to 
call in a doctor to its assistance, that doctor was Dr. Hogg, who could not 
come himself but he sent the (W)right man, and the right man did 
the right thing, and the weakling had grown stronger ever since. Mr. W. 
Collins also replied in a few appropriate terms. 
Mr. F. A. Philbrick, Q.C., proposed the Horticultural Press, and com¬ 
mented in most flattering terms upon the services rendered to every good 
object connected with horticulture. The reports in the Press were of great 
importance in disseminating a knowledge of and increasing a love of the art 
of gardening. He considered that engaging in horticulture, either as an 
amateur or professional, was one of the most ennobling pursuits, and the 
Pres3 in encouraging this was conferring a benefit upon the community 
generally. 
Messrs. Wynne and Gordon, in responding, said that the Pres3 was always 
willing to assist in any deserving cause that was brought under the notice. 
Mr. Berry then proposed the Horticultural Builders and Seedsmen,whioh 
was replied to by Messrs. Laing and Weeks in a few words. 
The health of the Chairman, Mr. H. J. Yeitch, was proposed by Mr. R. 
Dean, who referred to the readiness with which he had always given hoth 
pecuniary and earnest social support to all matters beneficial to gardeners, 
and noted his connection with the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution 
as Treasurer, and the handsome donation of £100 recently made to the 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. He also noted the wonderful services that had 
been rendered to practical horticulture by the three generations of Veitches, 
which at Exeter, and then at Chelsea, had developed such a widely famed 
business. This toast was received with acclamation, and Mr. Yeitch re¬ 
turned his cordial thanks for the manner in which the toast had been wel¬ 
comed ; and after Messrs. G. Deal and Manning had made a few remarks as 
visitors who desired to become honorary members, votes of thanks were 
accorded to the dinner stewards and Messrs. Thomson Si Sons of Cloven¬ 
fords for the Grapes sent, the meeting terminated. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.— October 11th. 
Though flowers and plants were not quite so numerous as usual, there 
were a few novelties—some fine Chrysanthemums and Dahlias, and a small 
group of Orchids. The Apples from Chelsea and the vegetables in compe¬ 
tition for the special prizes alone constituted an exhibition of considerable 
interest, the vegetables being of exceptional merit. 
Fruit Committee. —Present—T. Francis Rivers, Esq. (in the chair), and 
Messrs. John Lee, William Paul, T. B. Haywood, A. H. Pearson, G. T. 
Miles, T. J. Saltmarsh, G. Norman, J.Woodbridge, F. Rutland, H. J.Veitcb, 
F. Burnett, Fhilip Crowley, G. Bunyard, R. D. Blaekmore, and J. Fitt. 
Mr. W. Roupell, Harvey Lodge, Ronpell Park, exhibited a plant of Duke 
of Buccleuch Grape grafted on White Frontignan, the wood ripened earlier 
and produced a lateral fruit-bearing shoot the first year. A plant of Muscat 
of Alexandria in a pot, and bearing eight good buhches, very clean and well 
ripened. Remarkably clear, highly coloured bunches of Muscat of Alex¬ 
andria from Vines grown in pots, in warm pits, and ripened chiefly by sun 
heat were sent; they were of first-rate quality. Fine bunches of 
