254 THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
subject, and discover so much more interest in au autumnal walk through the
Forest, that they will insensibly drift into amateur fungus-hunters, and if here and
there an ambitious spirit should develop into a real Mycologist, our little efforts
will not be in vain, and we shall have our reward.
The President returned the thanks of the meeting to Dr. Cooke for his
Address, and alluded to his long and valuable services in the cause of the study of
Fungi, and to the aid Dr. Cooke had given to these annual meetings from the
foundation of the Club.
Mr. George Massee, F.C.S., then gave a short but extremely interesting
Lecture, entitled "Some points in the Life-history of a Parasitic Fungus,'
illustrating his remarks by a series of coloured drawings from his own pencil.
The parasite treated of was one attacking the potato.
Some little discussion followed the lecture, and the President expressed the
cordial thanks of the meeting to Mr. Massee and to the Referees and Conductors
at the meeting.
The day was line, but the recent rains had destroyed many fungi, and damaged
others. Mr. Massee reported that earlier in the autumn he had never seen fungi
so plentiful in the Forest.
THE 224th ORDINARY MEETING.
Saturday, October 31st, 1903.
This, the first meeting of the winter session, was held, as usual, in the Physical
Lecture Theatre of the Municipal Technical Institute, Stratford, at 6.30 p.m.,
Mr. F. W. Rudler, F.G.S., President, in the chair.
New Members.—Mr. Arthur T. Barnard and Mr. Oscar A. Steeds were
elected members.
Smith Collection of Newspaper Cuttings relating to Epping Forest.—
The Secretary exhibited two volumes of newspaper cuttings and other papers,
which had been collected by the late W. G. Shakespeare Smith during the time
of the active work of the old "Forest Fund" Association. Mr. Cole said that all
the older members of the Club would much regret to hear the news of Mr. Smith's
death. He and the late Sir Antonio Brady were the founders of the "Forest
Fund," an association which did excellent work in the pioneer skirmishes for the
preservation of Epping Forest, before the City Corporation entered the fight. The
"Fund's" meetings were of the greatest service to the cause of the free Forest in
directing attention to the sins of the enlcosers, and in educating public opinion even
after the commencement of the memorable legal suits of the Corporation. The
volumes of cuttings had been given to Mr. Cole by Mrs. Smith, knowing the
interest he took in the question, and Mr. Cole had much pleasure in placing the
volumes in the little library at the Forest Museum.
Mr. Walter Crouch spoke of the historic value of the volumes, which contained
reports of meetings and newspaper articles now practically unattainable.
The books were unique. He proposed that the Club should pass a vote of
condolence on the death of Mr. Smith. All who knew the history of the rescue
of the Forest would most gratefully acknowledge the value of Mr. Smith's
services.