114 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
February  11,  1897 
large  expenditure  without  the  possibility  of  any  return.  They  have 
therefore  established  the  rule  that  they  will  not  continue  it  unless  suffi¬ 
cient  interest  in  it  is  taken  by  Fellows  and  their  friends  to  raise 
£100  towards  the  Prize  Fund.  Subscriptions  for  this  purpose  should  be 
sent  at  once  to  the  Secretary,  117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster,  and  if 
the  list  prove  satisfactory  the  schedule  will  be  issued  in  April,  and  the 
show  held  on  September  30th  and  October  1st  and  2nd,  1807.  The  list 
of  subscribers  for  1896  will  be  found  on  page  129  of  vol.  xx.,  part  2, 
of  the  Society’s  Journal. 
Deputations  were  sent  by  the  Council  at  the  invitation  of  the  local 
authorities  to  attend  the  great  horticultural  gatherings  at  York  in  June, 
and  at  Chester  in  August,  1896.  Full  particulars  of  these  visits  will  be 
found  in  the  Society's  Journal,  vol.  xx.,  part  1,  p.  xxvii.,  and 
vol.  xx,  part  2,  p.  cxxx.  The  Council  cannot,  however,  refrain 
from  taking  this  opportunity  of  congratulating  York  and  Chester  on  the 
admirable  displays  of  horticultural  skill  and  enterprise  made  at  their 
respective  f&tes  and  galas,  and  of  recording  the  very  great  pleasure 
which  these  visits  gave  them,  and  their  appreciation  of  the  great 
courtesy  and  hospitality  with  which  they  were  received  in  both  cities. 
The  Journal  of  the  Society  has  been  continued  so  as  to  enable 
Fellows  at  a  distance  to  enter  more  fully  into  and  reap  the  benefits  of 
the  study  and  work  of  those  actively  engaged  at  head-quarters.  Vol. 
xix.,  part  3,  and  parts  1  and  2  of  vol.  xx.,  were  issued  during  the  year, 
and  vol.  xx.,  part  3.  is  now  almost  ready  for  issue. 
In  January,  1893,  the  Council  published  a  list  of  all  the  plants, 
flowers,  fruits,  and  vegetables  certificated  from  the  year  1859  to  1892. 
A  supplement  is  now  ready,  bringing  the  list  down  to  December,  1896. 
Each  part  is  issued  at  the  price  of  Is.,  but  the  two  together  may  be 
obtained  for  Is.  6d.,  at  the  Societv’s  Office. 
An  examination  in  the  principles  and  practice  of  horticulture  was 
held  on  May  1st,  concurrently  in  different  parts  of  the  United  Kingdom, 
a  centre  being  established  wherever  a  magistrate,  or  clergyman,  or 
schoolmaster,  or  other  responsible  person  accustomed  to  examinations 
would  consent  to  superintend  one  on  the  Society’s  behalf,  and  in  accord¬ 
ance  with  the  rules  laid  down  for  its  conduct.  No  limit  as  to  the  age, 
position,  or  previous  training  of  the  candidates  was  imposed,  and  the 
Examination  was  open  to  both  sexes.  152  candidates  presented  them¬ 
selves  for  examination.  The  names  and  addresses  of  those  who  succeeded 
in  satisfying  the  examiners,  together  with  the  number  of  marks  assigned 
to  each,  will  be  found  in  the  Society’s  Journal,  vol.  xx.,  part  1,  1896, 
page  58. 
It  is  proposed  to  hold  a  similar  examination  in  1897,  but  at  the 
request  of  those  most  nearly  concerned  the  date  has  been  altered  to 
Tuesday,  April  6th,  so  as  not.  to  clash  with  the  examinations  held  at  the 
beginning  of  May  by  the  Science  and  Art  Department.  Candidates 
wishing  to  sit  for  the  Examination  should  make  application  during 
February  to  the  Secretary,  R.H.S.  Office,  117,  Victoria  Street,  West¬ 
minster. 
The  Council  have  heard  with  much  pleasure  that  N.  N.  Sherwood, 
Esq.,  Master  of  the  Worshipful  Company  of  Gardeners,  has  most  kindly 
offered,  in  connection  with  the  Society’s  1897  Examination,  a  Scholarship 
of  £25  a  year  for  two  years  ;  full  particulars  of  which  will  be  found 
in  the  Society’s  arrangements  for  1897,  lately  issued  to  all  Fellows. 
Another  similar  Scholarship  has  been  promised  for  1898,  by  G.  W. 
Burrows,  E»q.,  a  member  of  the  Court  of  the  same  Worshipful 
Company. 
Acting  in  conjunction  with  the  Liudley  Trustees,  the  Council  have 
devoted  considerable  attention  to  the  library.  All  serial  publications 
have  been  kept  up  to  date,  a  large  number  of  valuable  volumes  have 
been  bound,  and  the  following  new  books,  amongst  others,  added  to 
the  library— viz.,  ‘‘The  Student’s  Handbook  of  British  Mosses,”  “Les 
Vignes  Americaines,”  “  Useful  Plants  of  Japan,”  “  Orchids  of  Sonth 
Africa,”  Scott’s  “Flowerless  Plants,”  &c  ,  &c. 
A  sum  of  £129  has  been  received  for  the  catalogue  fund,  which  was 
started  in  1894,  and  the  proof  Bheets  of  the  catalogue  are  now  in  the 
hands  of  the  printer. 
The  hearty  thanks  of  the  Society  are  due  to  all  the  members  of  the 
standing  Committees — viz.,  the  Scientific,  the  Fruit  and  Vegetable,  the 
Floral,  the  Orchid,  and  the  Narcissus  Committees,  for  the  kind  and 
patient  attention  which  they  have  severally  given  to  their  departments. 
The  best  thanks  of  the  Society  are  also  due  to  all  those  who,  either 
at  home  or  abroad,  have  so  kindly  presented  books  to  the  library  or 
plants  or  seeds  to  the  gardens.  A  list  of  the  donors  has  been  prepared,  and 
will  be  found  in  the  Society’s  Journal,  vol.  xx.,  part  3,  1897,  now  almost 
ready  for  issue.  Where  so  many  have  been  generous  it  almost  appears 
invidious  to  mention  any  by  name,  yet  the  Council  think  it  only  their 
duty  on  behalf  of  the  Fellows  to  publicly  thank  the  principal  donors, 
amongst  whom  have  been  Messrs.  George  Bunyard  &  Co.  of  Maidstone, 
Mr.  John  Fraser  of  Woodford,  Messrs.  Lee  &  Son  of  Hammersmith, 
Messrs.  Paul  &  Son  of  Cheshunt,  Messrs.  J.  R.  Pearson  &  Sons  of 
Chilwell,  Messrs.  T.  Rivers  &  Son  of  Sawbridgewortb,  and  Messrs.  James 
Veitch  &  Sons  of  Chelsea. 
The  Council  wish  to  express,  in  their  own  name  and  in  that  of  the 
Fellows  of  the  Society,  their  great  indebtedness  to  all  who  have  so 
kindly  contributed,  either  by  the  exhibition  of  plants,  fruits,  flowers,  or 
vegetables,  or  by  the  reading  of  papers,  to  the  success  of  the  fortnightly 
meetings  in  the  Drill  Hall.  They  are  glad  to  find  by  the  increased 
and  increasing  number  of  visitors  that  the  Society’s  fortnightly  meetings 
are  at  last  becoming  appreciated  by  the  Fellows  and  public  in  general. 
In  their  judgment  these  shows,  which  take  place  at  short  intervals 
throughout  the  year,  furnish  horticultural  displays  and  teach  horticul¬ 
tural  lessons  which  cannot  be  obtained  elsewhere  in  the  kingdom. 
The  papers  read  at  these  meetings,  which  have  been  or  will  shortly 
be  published  in  the  Journal,  are  as  follows: — March  10th — “Melons,” 
by  Mr.  J.  Barkham.  March  24th — “Saladings,”  by  Mr.  W.  Iggulden. 
April  21st — “  Pine  Apples,”  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Ward.  May  5th — “  Species  and 
Varieties  of  Tulips,”  by  Mr.  J.  G.  Baker,  F.R.S.  June  9th — “The 
Movements  of  Plants,”  by  the  Rev.  Prof.  George  Henslow,  M.A. 
June  23rd — “Gardeners  Past,  Present,  and  Future,”  by  Mr.  S  Heaton. 
July  14th — “  New  Roses,”  by  the  Rev.  H.  J.  Pemberton,  M.A.  July  28th 
— “  Cacti.”  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Chapman.  August  11th — “  Fern  Generation,” 
by  Mr.  C.  T.  Druerv,  F.L.S.  August  25t.h — “Forcing  Lilies  of  the 
Valley,”  by  Mr.  T.  Jannoch.  September  8th — “  Gladioli,”  by  Mr.  J. 
Burrell.  October  1st — “  Fruit  Growing  from  a  Food  Point  of  View,”  by 
Mr.  E.  J.  Baillie,  F.L.S.  October  2nd — “  Cider  and  Perry  Industry,”  by 
Mr.  C.  W.  Radcliffe  Cooke,  M.P.  October  3rd — “Gathering.  Storing,  and 
Use  of  Apples  and  Pears,”  by  Mr.  J.  Watkins.  October  13th — “Hardy 
Summer  Flowers,”  by  Mr.  E.  Burrell.  October 27 — “Chrysanthemums,” 
by  Mr.  W.  H.  Lees.  November  10th — “Seed  Growing,”  by  Mr.  R.  Fife. 
November  24th  —  Floral  demonstration  by  the  Rev.  Prof.  George 
Henslow,  M.A. 
The  Council  have  the  sad  duty  of  recording  the  death  of  twenty-two 
Fellows  during  the  year,  and  among  them  they  regret  to  find  the  names 
of  Baron  Sir  Ferdinand  Von  Mueller,  one  of  the  most  staunch  and 
energetic  supporters  of  the  Society  in  Australia;  Dr.  Trimen,  Bruce 
Findlay,  Richard  Bloxam,  Henry  Seebohm,  T.  A.  Gledstanes,  Anthony 
Waterer,  the  Earl  of  Darnley,  Sir  Joseph  Prestwich,  Lord  Savile, 
Robert  Warner,  Sir  Julian  Goldsmid,  George  Prince,  and  Marmaduke 
Lawson. 
The  following  table  will  show  the  Society’s  progress  in  regard  to 
numerical  strength  during  the  past  year  : — 
Deaths  in  1896. 
£  s.  d. 
Life  Fellows  ...  6  0  0  0 
4  Guineas .  0  0  0  0 
2  „  11  23  2  0 
1  „  5  5  5  0 
22  £28  7  0 
Resignations. 
£ 
s. 
d. 
4  Guineas . 
0  .. 
0 
0 
2  . . 
14  .. 
....  29 
8 
0 
1  „  . 
54  .. 
....  56 
14 
0 
68 
£86 
2 
0 
Total  loss . 
90 
£114 
9 
0 
Fellows  Elected  1896. 
£  s.  d. 
4  Guineas .  4  16  16  0 
2  „  85  178  10  0 
1  „  297  311  17  0 
Associates .  9  4  14  6 
Affiliated  Soc’s.  14  .  15  15  0 
Commmutations  5  ...  1 
=  £123  9s.  j 
414  £527  12  6 
Deduct  loss  .  114  9  0 
Net  Increase  in  Income  ...£413  3  6 
New  Fellows,  &c .  414 
Deduct  Resignations  and )  0A 
Deaths  . J 
Numerical  Increase .  324 
A  scheme  for  the  affiliation  of  local  Horticultural  Societies  was  put 
forward  in  1890,  and  eighty-three  local  societies  have  availed  themselves 
of  it.  The  Council  express  the  hope  that  Fellows  will  promote  the 
affiliation  of  local  Horticultural  and  Cottage  Garden  Societies  in  their 
own  immediate  neighbourhood. 
Subjoined  is  the  usual  Revenue  and  Expenditure  Account,  with  the 
balance-sheet  for  the  year  ending  December  31st,  1896. 
The  programme  for  the  ensuing  year  will  be  found  in  the  arrange¬ 
ments  for  the  year  1897,  lately  issued  to  all  Fellows. 
At  tbe  request  of  some  of  the  Fellows,  the  Council  have  arranged  to 
send  a  reminder  of  every  show  (in  the  week  preceding  it)  to  any  Fellow 
who  will  send  to  the  R.H.S.  Office,  117,  Victoria  Street,  Westminster, 
twenty-two  halfpenny  post-cards,  fully  addressed  to  himself,  or  to  whom¬ 
soever  he  wishes  the  reminder  sent. 
The  Council  recommend  that  the  salaries  of  the  principal  officers  of 
the  Society — the  Secretary,  the  Assistant  Secretary,  the  Superintendent, 
and  the  Assistant  Superintendent  should  continue  as  heretofore. 
The  Council  have  had  before  them  various  proposals  for  celebrating 
the  attainment  by  Her  Most  Gracious  Majesty  the  Queen,  Patron  of  the 
Society,  of  the  longest  reign  in  English  history.  Some  of  these  proposals 
were  for  one  reason  or  another  found  to  be  impracticable,  others  were 
found  to  involve  a  far  larger  expenditure  of  money  than  the  Society  can 
command  or  could  reasonably  hope  in  so  short  a  period  to  collect.  They 
have  therefore  aftev  most  careful  consideration  decided,  with  Her 
Majesty’s  gracious  permission,  (i)  to  strike  a  special  medal  or  medallioD, 
to  be  called  tbe  Victoria  Medal  of  Horticulture  and  to  be  awarded  honoris 
causa  in  the  domain  of  horticulture.  They  will  also  (ii.)  join  in  the 
celebration  of  the  event  which  is  to  take  place  at  the  great  show  to  be 
held  at  Shrewsbury  in  August,  to  which  they  have  received  a  very 
cordial  invitation. 
The  proposal  to  strike  a  Victoria  Medal  of  Honour  has  been  submitted 
to  Her  Majesty,  who  whilst  refraining  in  this  as  in  all  other  cases  from 
expressing  any  personal  opinion  on  the  proposed  method  of  commemo¬ 
rating  the  sixtieth  year  of  her  reign,  graciously  adds  that  she  “  has  no 
possible  objection  to  raise  ”  either  to  the  proposal  itself  or  to  the  name 
to  be  given  to  the  Medal. 
The  Council  in  closing  their  report  desire  most  respectfully  to  tender 
to  Her  Majesty  the  most  sincere  and  thankful  congratulations  on  the 
approaching  completion  of  the  sixtieth  year  of  her  beneficent  and 
auspicious  reign,  and  they  are  confident  that  every  Fellow  of  the  Society 
will  join  with  them  in  saying  “  God  save  the  Queen.” 
