July  4,  1895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
11 
THE  GARDENERS’  ROYAL  BENEVOLENT 
INSTITUTION.— ANNUAL  DINNER. 
On  Friday,  June  28th,  the  fifty-sixth  anniversary  festival  of  the 
above  Society  took  place  at  the  Hotel  MetrSpole,  London,  and  we  have  , 
great  pleasure  in  stating  that  it  proved  to  be  one  of  the  most  successful 
ever  held.  The  tables  were  tastefully  decorated  with  flowers  kindly 
sent  by  Messrs.  J.  Laing  &  Sons,  Forest  Hill ;  F.  Sander  &  Co.,  St. 
Albans:  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  Chelsea  ;  H.  Turner,  Slough;  and  B.  S. 
Williams,  Holloway,  and  the  whole  of  the  arrangements  were  carried 
but  with  every  satisfaction  by  the  able  Secretary,  Mr.  Ingram. 
The  chair  was  taken  by  His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Fife,  K.T.,  supported 
by  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  Bart.,  and  Sir  J.  W.  Ellis,  and  amongst  other 
gentlemen  present  were  the  Rev.  W.  Wilks,  Messrs.  G.  A.  Dickson,  N.  Sher¬ 
wood,  W.  Jefferies,  D.  T.  Smith,  J.  G.  Bracken  bridge.  G.  F.  Wilson, 
E.  Stern,  N.  L.  Cohen,  C.  Sharpe,  J.  G.  Veitch,  J.  L.  Woodroffe,  J.  T. 
Anderson,  J.  Laing,  P.  Barr,  H.  Williams,  W.  H.  Cutbush,  A.  Moss, 
R.  M.  Hogg,  T,  F.  Rivers,  H.  M.  Hill,  A.  F.  Barron,  J.  Douglas, 
A.  Weeks,  W.  J.  Nutting,  George  Munro,  T.  M.  Cox,  W.  G.  Head, 
H.  Turner,  H.  Balderson,  W.  Cobb,  T.  Hayes,  G.  Bishop,  G.  Wythes, 
T.  Swift,  W.  Titt,  W.  L.  Corry,  J.  Baker,  B.  Wheatley,  and  Dr,  Gorton. 
After  the  usual  toasts  had  been  given  for  Her  Majesty  the  Queen, 
the  Prince  of  Wales,  and  the  rest  of  the  Royal  Family,  His  Grace  the 
Duke  of  Fife  arose  amidst  great  applause  to  give  the  toast  of  the 
evening — viz.,  “  Prosperity  to  the  Institution,”  and  in  the  course  of  a 
few  well  chosen  remarks,  said  that  it  gave  him  exceeding  great  pleasure 
to  be  amongst  them  on  this  occasion  and  to  propose  the  toast.  In  spite 
of  the  universal  depression  large  sums  of  money  had  been  spent  in 
charity,  and  in  London  alone  a  sum  of  no  less  than  £5,250,000  sterling 
had  been  given  by  different  societies  in  one  year,  to  say  nothing  of 
private  benevolence,  of  which  we  hear  but  little  of.  Larger  sums  of 
money  were  disposed  of  in  charity  in  England  than  in  any  other 
■country  in  the  world.  Unfortunately,  His  Grace  went  on  to  say,  there 
was  not  often  sufficient  concentration  in  these  efforts  ;  but  happily  this 
does  not  apply  to  the  Gardeners’  Royal  Benevolent  Institution,  as  it 
was  the  only  Society  of  its  kind  in  Great  Britain,  its  work  being  to 
assist  the  aged  and  infirm  by  means  of  pensions,  preference  being  given 
to  those  who  subscribe  to  its  funds. 
In  this  country  a  spirit  of  sturdy  independence  flourishes  amongst 
us,  and  the  existence  of  this  Society  is  proof  of  it.  It  was  now  proposed 
to  establish  a  system  of  State-aided  pensions,  and  grateful  as  we  are  to 
our  all-wise  Parliament  for  such  a  scheme,  until  this  happy  millennium 
is  reached,  and  to  prevent  all  disappointments,  we  must  support  the 
Gardeners’  Benevolent  Society,  as  it  has  been  for  many  years  and  is  still 
doing  for  gardeners  what  the  State  proposes  to  do  for  everybody.  Many 
were  apt  to  think  the  life  of  a  gardener  a  happy  one,  but  it  is  not  a  bed 
of  Roses,  as  all  are  not  in  the  employ  of  the  wealthy,  and  have  not  happy 
homes.  The  day’s  work  of  gardeners  often  begins  before  the  lark,  and 
they  are  still  at  it  late  into  the  night  in  order  to  provide  us  with  Nature’s 
choicest  gifts.  Nature  has  doubtless  provided  us  many  gifts,  but  in 
these  vast  cities  that  have  grown  almost  everywhere,  what  should  we  do 
or  where  should  we  be  without  the  gardener’s  art — art  that  brings  joy  to 
the  hearts  of  the  wealthy  and  also  the  poor? 
In  the  course  of  further  remarks  His  Grace  said  he  had  last  year 
visited  with  his  wife  (prolonged  cheers)  horticultural  exhibitions  in  the 
.East  of  London,  held  under  the  auspices  of  a  Society  of  which  His 
Grace  is  President,  and  there  found  creditable  exhibits  that  had  been 
grown  in  windows  and  back  yards.  These  people  owed  their  simple, 
but  real,  pleasure  to  the  knowledge  which  had  been  propagated  by  the 
gardener’s  art ;  therefore  the  art  appeals  to  all,  and  gardeners  may  be 
looked  upon  as  benefactors.  But  misfortune  often  overtakes  them,  old 
age  creeps  upon  all,  and  often  finds  many  ill  provided  for  through  no 
fault  of  their  own.  It  was  to  meet  such  cases  that  this  Society  was 
formed  sixty  years  ago.  Since  then  it  has  distributed  in  pensions  and 
gratuities  a  sum  of  £65,000  ;  156  persons  were  receiving  assistance — 
seventy -seven  men  and  seventy-nine  women — and  the  pensions  had  ..been 
raised  to  £20  per  annum  for  men,  and  £16  for  women — not,  he 
thought,  an  exorbitant  sum.  Many  other  pressing  cases  were  awaiting 
selection. 
In  conclusion  His  Grace  said  he  would  not  detain  them  much  longer. 
We  often  hear,  he  continued,  the  language  of  flowers  passing  from 
commonplace  to  beautiful  ideas,  and  pleasant  associations  gather  round 
many  of  them.  He  would  ask  them  to  let  the  flowers  that  had  been  so 
kindly  sent  appeal  to  them  on  behalf  of  the  charity.  He  had  come 
there  in  its  name,  and  if  anything  he  had  said  would  do  any  good 
for  the  Institution  he  should  consider  that  he  had  passed  a  most 
pleasant  and  profitable  evening.  His  Grace  then  sat  down  amidst 
loud  cheers. 
Mr.  G.  A.  Dickson  responded,  and  said  his  first  duty  was  a  regretable 
one — namely,  that  of  announcing  the  unavoidable  absence,  through 
illness,  of  Mr.  Harry  J.  Veitch,  which  he  was  sure  all  regretted.  Toe 
object  of  these  gatherings  was  to  increase  the  usefulness  of  the  Institu¬ 
tion,  which  had  Her  Most  Gracious  Majesty  for  a  patron  ;  and  he 
was-  sure  that  all  connected  with  it  felt  indebted  to  the  Duke 
of  Fife  for  his  presence.  Mr.  Dickson  then  read  a  letter  from  Mr. 
John  Lee,  the  Father  of  the  Society,  regretting  his  inability  to  attend 
through  old  age.  Mr.  Lee  is  nearly  ninety,  and  with  one  exception  has 
attended  every  annual  dinner.  In  further  remarks  Mr.  Dickson  said 
that  the  investments  of  the  Society  had  been  slightly  altered,  by  which 
the  income  had  been  augmented  by  £50  a  year.  In  spite  of  this  every 
’  ear  the  candidates  amount  to  more  than  can  be  taken  on  the  list.  At 
the  last  election  only  fourteen  out  of  fifty  candidates  were  able  to  be 
benefited.  Imagine,  said  he,  the  disappointment  of  those  thirty-six 
who  were  left.  An  income  of  £700  per  annum  is  necessary  to  satisfy 
all  claims,  and  some  efforts  should  be  made  to  obtain  this  in  order  to 
provide  for  all  who  are  dependent  cn  others.  Mr.  Dickson  then  read 
letters  from  several  candidates,  after  which  he  remarked  that  no  in¬ 
stitution  in  the  world  was  managed  better  than  this,  and  for  which 
management  they  could  not  thank  the  Stewards  too  much.  As  a  sug¬ 
gestion,  he  thought  ladies  might  be  enlisted  to  collect  for  the  Institution. 
A  good  example  had  been  set  by  the  Shropshire  Horticultural  Society, 
who  had  agreed  to  give  £5  annually,  and  he  thought  other  Societies 
of  the  kind  might  render  assistance.  As  representing  the  Treasurer, 
M?.  Veitch,  he  hoped  that  all  present  would  endeavour  to  do  more  in 
the  future  than  had  been  done  in  the  past.  To  some  it  would  be  a 
little  sacrifice,  to  others  it  would  not  ;  but  if  everyone  did  their  best 
some  would  do  little  and  others  much  more. 
Mr.  Dickson  then  read  a  telegram  from  Mr.  Veitch  stating  his 
inability  to  attend,  but  hoping  the  meeting  would  be  a  record.  He 
would  conclude  by  echoing  his  sentiments,  for  though  kingdoms  come 
and  go,  and  ministeries  come  and  go,  gardeners  and  gardens  are  always 
with  us,  and  he  hoped  all  would  unite  and  do  more  than  had  previously 
been  done  for  this  Society. 
Mr.  W.  J.  Jefferies  proposed  the  toast  of  “  Success  to  Horticulture,” 
and  coupled  with  it  the  name  of  Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  who,  he  said,  was 
associated  with  the  Royal  Horticultural  Society,  and  a  close  friend  of 
horticulture. 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  in  reply,  said  he  was  addressing  a  large 
number  who  followed  the  pursuit  of  ’norticulture  for  either  pleasure 
or  profit,  and  he  knew  of  no  pursuit  which  brought  more  pure  and 
unalloyed  pleasure  to  either  than  this.  No  science  had  taken  greater 
strides,  and  several  of  the  dishes  on  the  table  were  the  products  of 
horticultural  skill,  down  to  the  excellent  British  Queen  Strawberries, 
which  they  had  partaken  of  for  dessert.  Sir  Trevor  then  dwelt  on 
the  progress  of  horticulture,  and  added  that  the  greatest  amount  of 
pleasure  derived  from  gardens  was  due  to  the  working  gardener,  who,  in 
spite  of  climatic  disadvantages,  could  hold  his  own.  He  thought  that 
gardeners  when  young  should  contribute  to  the  fund,  and  all  who  are  at 
heart  genuine  horticulturists  he  felt  sure  would  do  all  they  could 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Society.  The  Secretary  then  read  out  the  list  of 
subscriptions,  which  was  as  follows  : — In  addition  to  sums  already 
acknowledged — Duke  of  Fife,  £30  ;  C.  Czarnikow,  Esq.,  £10  10s. ; 
Messrs.  James  Veitch  &  Sons,  £25  ;  N.  Sherwood,  Esq.,  £21  ;  Messrs. 
Rothschild,  £105  ;  Alfred  de  Rothschild,  Esq.,  £10  10s. ;  George 
Monro,  Esq.,  £105  ;  G.  J.  Braikenridge,  Esq.,  £8  8s.  ;  G.  W.  Dawes, 
Esq.,  £10  lOs.  ;  Messrs.  Protheroe  &  Morris,  £5  5s.;  J.  Coleman,  £5  53.; 
Sir  Trevor  Lawrence,  £10  lOs.  ;  Edward  Stern,  Esq.,  £10  10s. ;  George  A. 
Dickson,  Esq.,  £5  5i.  ;  Thames  Bank  Iron  Company,  £5  5*.  ;  Geo. 
Profit,  £21  ;  G.  Maycock,  £10  10s. ;  William  Thomson  Memorial 
Fund,  £98  ;  part  proceeds  Third  Edition*"  Cypripediums,  Hybrids  and 
Species,”  per  R.  I.  Measures,  Esq.,  £7  lOs.  ;  John  Lee,  Esq.,  £5  Ss,  ; 
E.  V.  Low,  Esq.,  £5  5s. ;  Mr.  W.  G.  Head,  £5.  Other  sums  bring  up 
total  to  £1900. 
In  expressing  satisfaction  that  the  list  was  such  a  satisfactory  one. 
Sir  Trevor  concluded  by  saying  that  they  were  largely  indebted  to 
His  Grace  the  Duke  of  Fife  for  taking  the  chair,  and  for  the  noble 
manner  in  which  he  had  held  it. 
Mr.  N.  Sherwood,  in  proposing  the  health  of  the  Chairman,  said 
he  was  quite  sure  he  echoed  the  sentiments  of  all  present  in  asking  His 
Grace  to  accept  their  hearty  thanks  for  presiding.  All  knew  of  the 
interest  taken  by  members  of  the  Royal  Family  in  charitable  institu¬ 
tions,  and  he  was  sure  it  was  a  pleasure  to  His  Grace  to  preside  on  that 
occasion. 
His  Grace  in  reply  offered  his  warmest  thanks  for  the  kind  manner 
in  which  they  had  proposed  his  health,  and  remarked  that  though  he 
had  no  great  knowledge  of  horticulture  he  would  give  way  to  no  one 
for  the  love  of  it.  The  Societ7,-he  said,  was  doing  good  work,  and  it 
had  given  him  great  pleasure  to  preside  that  evening. 
Mr.  G.  A.  Dickson  then  proposed  the  health  of  and  a  hearty  vote  of 
thanks  to  Mr.  Ingram,  remarking  that  as  a  Secretary  he  was  a  model 
one,  and  he  had  never  met  a  more  genial  man.  He  would  conclude  by 
thanking  him  sincerely  for  what  he  had  done  and  was  still  doing  for  the 
Society. 
Mr.  Ingram,  in  reply,  said  he  hardly  knew  what  to  say,  and  could 
only  add  that  in  his  duties,  both  official  and  private,  he  had  always  done 
what  be  could,  and  for  the  Society  he  had  done  his  best  to  enhance  its 
interest  and  add  to  its  wealth  ;  this  he  would  endeavour  to  go  on  doing 
so  long  as  the  gentlemen  supported  him  in  the  future  as  they  had  in 
the  past,  and  he  begged  to  thank  all  present  for  the  manner  they  had 
received  the  toast. 
Mr.  A.  Moss  proposed  the  health  of  the  Stewards,  and  thanked  them 
for  their  efforts  on  this  occasion,  coupling  with  the  toast  the  name  of 
Mr.  Geo.  Monroe  ;  and  to  merit  this  he  thought  it  only  required  him  to 
call  their  attention  to  the  fact  that  under  his  name  was  the  sum  of 
over  £100. 
Mr.  Monroe  rose  to  give  thanks,  and  said  that  trying  to  reach  that 
sum  had  given  him  great  pleasure,  and  though  a  century  was  a  common 
occurrence  nowadays.  Dr.  W.  G.  Grace  had  never  experienced  so  much 
pleasure  in  obtaining  his  hundred  as  he  had  in  reaching  that  sum. 
An  excellent  selection  of  music  was  provided  under  the  direction  of 
Mr.  Herbert  Schartau,  and  the  company  afterwards  dispersed,  a  most 
enjoyable  evening  having  been  spent. 
