i88i.] STIRLING HORTICULTURAL SHOW. 423 



A Mr Williams, experimenting on the Victoria Regina, got the fol- 

 lowing results : a flower naturally fertilised produced 25 seeds ; 

 artificially fertilised with its own pollen, 60 seeds ; artificially fertil- 

 ised with pollen from a separate flower on the same plant, 100 seeds ; 

 while a flower fertilised with pollen from a separate plant produced 

 300 seeds, or 12 times that of the naturally fertilised flower. This 

 showed how important, from a mercantile point of view, cross-fertilisa- 

 tion may become, if seeds entering largely in common use can be thus 

 increased. In some parts of Germany, when fields of grain are in 

 bloom, and the anthers in the act of shedding the pollen, a rope is 

 drawn across the heads of the grain to insure better fertilisation than 

 would be effected naturally. There had been considerable discussions 

 as to whether the male or female elements have most influence in de- 

 termining the character of the plant resulting from cross-fertilisation. 

 Some have held the theory that the male parent has in all cases the 

 greatest power; others hold that the result depends not upon the male 

 parent, but upon the proportionate health and vigour of both parents. 

 It was reasonable to suppose that, if the male and female parents are 

 equal in all respects, the progeny will show some intermediate charac- 

 teristics ; whereas, if one parent be superior in constitutional energy 

 and sexual vitality, the future progeny may be expected to partake 

 most of its distinctive features. 



In closing his paper, Mr Nicoli pointed to the many inducements 

 cross-fertilisation offered to the scientist, as well as to those who, caring 

 little for the exactness of science, seek rather to increase the produc- 

 tions of nature, either for utility or beauty. 



STIRLIISTG HORTICULTURAIj SOCIETY'S SHOW. 



The Show of this Society, which was held in the show- ground of, and in connec- 

 tion with, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland's Show, on July 

 26, 27, 28, and 29, was, so far as exhibits are concerned, a complete success. 

 In absence of any other stirring horticultural event in Scotland, it may in 

 some sense be regarded as the event of the year ; although we must character- 

 ise as absurd the statement that appeared in one at least of the local papers, 

 that "it was equal to any similar exhibition in the country, not even except- 

 ing the metropolitan one." That it was "equal to any similar exhibition" 

 may be true ; but that it was equal to such Shows as are from time to time to 

 be seen even as near our doors as Edinburgh, Dundee, or Glasgow, is not a 

 fact. It was, nevertheless, a fairly creditable show, and many iSne examples 

 of cultivation were staged. Among foliage-plants, the Crotons from Mr John 

 Russel, Keir House, were good examples of culture. Among stove and 

 greenhouse flowering-plants was a grand specimen of Pancratium speciosum, 

 with over a dozen extra-strong spikes of marvellously fine flowers, in the four 

 staged by Joseph Souza, Touch (gardener to Sir H. J. Seton-Stewart), to 

 which was awarded the premium prize in that class. Among Ferns, the only 

 noteworthy lot was the two Todeas and magnificent Platyceriiim grande, which 



