20 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April 



MEETING OF BOTANICAL BRANCH. 



Held at the residence of Prof. John Macoun, February 20th, 

 at which were present, in addition to the host, Messrs. Attwood, 

 Cameron, Whyte, Clark, Bond, Reid, Groh, Newman, Campbeh, 

 J. M. Macoun and W. T. Macoun. 



The subject for the evening's discussion was "The Habitat 

 of Plants and Its Relation to Cultivated Varieties." 



In opening the meeting, Prof. Macoun described the develop- 

 ment of a well informed botanist. In the colleges he was trained 

 to learn plants from a biological standpoint, and even was given 

 some lessons in systematic botany. The relationships of plants 

 to one another was also now given considerable attention in the ; 

 class-room, by means of the improved methods of studying the 

 parts of plants which had been preserved in liquids. But while 

 he could from books and miscroscopical examinations get some 

 idea of the conditions under which the different species grew in 

 Nature, it was necessary for him to go to the field and see and '; 

 learn for himself if he were to become accurately informed and 

 make the best use of his knowledge. Having become acquainted 

 with the habits of the wild species he could then put his know- 

 ledge to practical use. In the examination of land, for instance, 

 he would be able to tell fairly accurately from the wild plants 

 which grew on it, the character of the soil and whether it was 

 dry, moist or wet. In exploring or surveying unsettled districts 

 it would be possible to tell by analogy what the climate was 

 likely to be from the plants which grew there and which grew in 

 some settled district. Prof. Macoun told of how he had used his ^ 

 knowledge in this respect when he explored the Northwest 

 about thirty years ago. Finding wild species of grasses there 

 which ripened well and knowing that the same species grew and m 

 ripened at Belleville, Ont., in about the same season as wheat, * 

 he used this knovv'ledge in forming his conclusion that immense . 

 areas in the Northwest were suited for wheat growing. Consider- J; 

 able discussion followed bearing on thehardiness of plants, especial- 

 tyin regard to the cause of apple tree killing in the Northwest. 

 The conclusion reached by a number of the members was that 

 the trees were dried out owing to long continued, severe cold and 

 dr^nng winds. It was felt, however, that when the newer and 

 hardier sorts were more widely tested, it would be found that 

 abundance of apples could be grown in many sections. This 

 part of the discussion brought out the fact that fruits from wild 

 species in cold climates did better in cool soils than those from a 

 comparatively warm climate, instances being on the one side the 

 gooseberry, raspberry and currant, and on the other the peach. 



W. T. M. ^Q6i ^ 



/^< % 



