March 21, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
257 
SOCIETIES. 
United Horticultural Benefit and Provident 
Society. 
The annual general meeting of the above society was held at 
the Caledonian Hotel, Adelphi, on the 9th inst., under the presi¬ 
dency of Mr. John Green, of Dereham, when the subjoined 
report was submitted by the committee: — 
“It is with the greatest possible pleasure your committee pre¬ 
sents its report for the year 1902, for, notwithstanding the un¬ 
usually severe demand upon the funds, due to the decease of 
several long-standing members and the withdrawal of large sums 
by those who have reached the age limit or have lapsed, the 
society never had a higher income nor a. larger accession of new 
members than in, the year recntly ended. 
“ The number of new members admitted during the year was 
93, which, added to the total reached in 1901, brought up the 
membership to 997 ; but from death and other causes there is 
a loss of 31 to record, leaving a total of 966 on the books of the 
society. 
“ Financially the society is in a very flourishing condition. 
The outgoings in respect of withdrawals and moneys paid to the 
nominees of deceased members have, as already indicated, been 
heavy, amounting to £324 6s. 8d., but the committee is happy 
to state that the sick pay amounted only to £29118s., or £15 18s. 
less than in the previous year, while at the end of the year the 
balance with the treasurer was the unusually high one of 
£147 6s. Id. 
“ The number of new members admitted during the year was 
unqualified success, and the committee wishes here to acknow¬ 
ledge its indebtedness to all who assisted to make the function 
an enjoyable one alike to members and friends. Thanks are 
especially due to Mr. Arthur W. Sutton, Y.M.H., F.L.S., who 
proved so able and generous a chairman on this occasion, and 
who, in addition to arranging for the musical programme, con¬ 
tributed £20 to the benevolent fund, and, together with his 
brother, Mr. Leonard Sutton, became a life member. The 
Thames Bank Iron Company, which has ever shown the warmest 
sympathy with the society, contributed £5 5s. to'the benevolent 
fund, and Mrs. Baker, wife of one of the partners, was made a 
life member. 
“ The committee wishes to direct the attention of members to 
the advantages and claims of the convalescent fund. This fund 
is a purely voluntary one, and was founded by the generosity of 
Mr. N. N. Sherwood, Y.M.H., for the purpose of assisting those 
members who, after a period of sickness, might be the more 
quickly restored to full health and strength by a change of air 
and scene. Only four applications have been made during the 
year for the benefits of this fund. 
“ The committee wish to tender their best thanks to Mr. James 
Hudson, Y.M.H., for his valuable services as treasurer during 
the past 21 years, and hope he will continue in the same office 
for many years to come. 
“ It was with unfeigned regret the committee received the 
resignation of Mr. Peerless, who for thirteen successive years 
was one of its most regular and respected members. An appre¬ 
ciation of the services so long and ably rendered by Mr. Peerless 
has been entered upon the minutes of the society.” 
The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, dwelt 
on the growth of the society since its establishment 43 years 
ago. They had carried out their motto well by working in 
union for the benefit of the society. One of the most important 
principles of the society was the making of provision for old 
age, as well as being a benefit, society. They were greatly 
obliged to the Horticultural Press for the publicity given in 
their journals. The membership had reached a- total of 997. 
but at least should be 2,000, which would render it even more 
efficient. Of the various funds of the society the convalescent 
fund was the most important, and next to that the benevolent. 
He also dwelt upon the advantages which would accrue to young 
gardeners by becoming members of the society, and spoke in ex^ 
cellent terms of the work done by the treasurer, Mr. J. Hudson, 
and the secretary, Mr. W. Collins. 
The renort was adopted, after being seconded by Mr. A. J. 
Bi owm, Chertsey. The latter made some excellent suggestions, 
winch will receive due consideration later on. The treasurer 
and secretary, as well as the chairman, Mr. C. H. Curtis, and 
the outgoing members of the committee, were re-elected. 
The benefit fund showed a balance to date of £16,045 17s. lid. ; 
1 e / fund, £3,834 Is. 4d. ; the voluntary convalescent 
r u i £47 ° lls ' lcl - : anrl the management, fund, £57 Is. The 
° f n t he so " et y are £20,415 lls. 4d..; and the assets 
£20,747 6s. Id., so that it is financially sound. 
Obituary. 
Mr. James J. Fromow. 
We very much regret to announce the death of Mr. James J. 
Fromow, the senior partner in the firm of Messrs. W. Fromow 
and Sons, Sutton Court Nursery, Chiswick, at his residence on 
Friday, the 13th inst., in his 48th year. On February 16th the 
deceased had a fall, by which he lacerated his knee and burst 
a blood-vessel, though no bones were broken. Had this latter 
occurred, however, it might have been the means of clearing the 
wound, and thereby saving his life. The best medical assistance 
was procured at the time, and he seemed to be making fair pro¬ 
gress, but blood-poisoning set in as a result of the peculiar 
nature of the wound, and he passed away as stated. 
The business dates back more than 70 years, but latterly it 
was handed over by their father to three sons, who managed it 
amongst them. The deceased had the management of Bagshot, 
Hounslow, and other branch nurseries of the firm, while Mr. 
Mr. James J. Fromow. 
Joseph Fromow superintended the bush and glass department 
at the headquarters of the firm. The third partner and brother 
of the deceased, Mr. Edwin Fromow, travelled for the firm, and 
had other duties. 
Air. James J. Fromow, though having his duties spread over 
so wide an area, resided 1 at 1, Wellesley Road, contiguous Jo the 
Sutton Court Nursery, Chiswick, and his death, besides being 
an irreparable loss to the firm, is mourned by a wide circle of 
friends in the parish of Chiswick, where the family has carried 
on business for well-nigh three-quarters of a century, aaid become 
closely identified with the locality in business matters and 
otherwise. 
All three sons followed strictly in the footsteps of their father, 
and greatly extended by their industry the business which he had 
founded. Mr. James J. Fromow had endeared himself to a wide 
circle of friends, and his fellow men in the trade, with whom he 
had been doing business for many years past, respected him for 
his honourable, just, and upright dealing. These facts have 
been attested by one of the oldest firms in Surrey, whose busi¬ 
ness is situated not far from the Windlesham and Bagshot nur¬ 
series of Messrs. W. Fromow and Sons. 
The deceased was only married about two years ago, and leaves 
a wife and a daughter to mourn his loss. We, in common with 
others who know the family, can only tender our heartfelt sym¬ 
pathy with the, bereaved. The funeral takes place at Ealing 
Cemetery on Wednesday a.s we go to press. 
The portrait accompanying this is a recent one, and a good 
representation of the deceased as he was at the time of his death. 
Flowers for the Metropolis. —London at this season of the 
year is flooded with spring blooms, and the principal thorough¬ 
fares receive a welcome touch of colour from the baskets of the 
flower sellers with their burdens of Yiolets, Primroses, and 
Daffodils. The Canary Islands, the natives of which are de¬ 
pendent on the annual crop of flowers for a livelihood, and the 
Scilly Islands, are the great sources of supply. How vast and 
important the industry has become to the Scillies may be 
gathered from the fact that last season no fewer than 750 tons 
of flowers were despatched to the Metropolis, while in one day 
7,830 boxes were sent. Throughout the season, which begins 
with February and continues till the close of spring, a special 
steamer plies between the islands and the mainland, while 35 
years ago not. a bloom was exported. 
