228 Cincinnati Horticultural Society — Proceedings. [j^aj, 



ing many plants. Nor are the several buds scattered at hazard upon 

 the potato, as many have supposed. They will be found to grow in 

 a regular and uniform spiral line, winding around the potato. With 

 the dahlia tuber it is otherwise — there are no buds but what were 

 attached at the plant, and the root is from the other extremity ; here 

 the tuber is really a stem, a swoollen internode between two buds, 

 the root below and the bud above. 



The learning and clearness with which Mr. Ward presented his 

 views, commanded the earnest attention of the large number iu 

 attendance. 



On motion of Mr. Ernst, Mr. Cary"s reply to Mr. Ward was 

 made the special order for the next meeting. 



Saturday, March 21th. 



Vice Pi-esident Stoms in the chair. 



The Corresponding Secretary presented two cans of valuable grafts 

 sent by Hon. T. C. Day, for distribution. 



Mr. Israel Foote was elected to membership. 



Dr. Warder exhibited a bunch of the Osier Willow from the 

 second crop, the cuttings full eight feet high. Dr. Petticolas ex- 

 hibited a seedling Apple from the orchard of Mr. E. Johnson, 

 which, from its merits, the Fruit Committee deemed worthy of 

 special notice — a great annual bearer, keeps well, and is excellent 

 for cooking. A seedling from the orchard of P. B. Swing, Esq., of 

 Batavia. Also, by Dr. A. Whipple, Ilawle's Janet, a specimen 

 showing the prolific character of this fruit^ — the branch, but about 

 one foot long, having borne eleven apples. 



The special order of the day. being Professor Gary's reply to the 

 views presented in the disquisition of Mr. Ward at the last meeting, 

 was announced, and Professor Cary proceeded to the discussion of 

 the questions involved. lie said that when Dr. Sturm stated, some 

 months since, that a tree would vegetate when planted top down- 

 ward, the assertion was deemed incredible, and friend Longworth 

 declared that when that was substantiated he could even believe in 

 spirit rappings ! I did not then dream that such an announcement 

 would call forth the doctrine' that it mattered not which end of the 

 seed was placed in the ground — downward or upward — or that a 

 branch destined to flourish and develop itself in light and air could 

 have its features and functions changed to the condition and char- 

 acter of a root, which, with an invincible instinct seeks the earth 



