PEOCEEDIXGS. 



April 21, 1846. (Regent Street.) 



Elections. The Earl of Scarborough, 41, South Street, Park 

 I ane, and RufFord Abbey, Otterton ; and Mr. John Foster, 

 16, Wigmore Street. 

 Paper read: A communication from Mr. Maher, relative 

 to the prevailing disease in Potatoes, the principal features 

 of which were as follows :— A thunder-storm accompanied 

 by high wind, having occurred in July, 1845, washing 

 away the soil from the tubers, Mr. Maher was of opinion 

 that the disease was caused by tlie heated water passing 

 down along the cavity formed by the wind-waving of the 

 haulm, and that the malady might be prevented from fur- 

 ther extension by storing the tubers when taken up in per- 

 fectly dry earth. Specimens illustrative of the good effects 

 of this mode of storing were shown to the meeting. 



Awards. Knightian Medals : To Mr. Rae, gardener to J. J. 

 Blandy, Esq., of Reading, for various Orchids, especially 

 fine plants of Cattleya Skinneri, and Peristeria Hum- 

 boldti, the latter with 4 pendulous spiiies of dingy spotted 

 blossoms ; and to Mr. Ayres, gardener to J. Cook, Esq., of 

 Brooklands, for an admirably managed Stephanotis flori- 

 bunda. 

 Certificates : To J. Allnutt, Esq., of Clapham, for a very large 

 specimen of Kennedya coccinea. To Mr. Dobson, gar- 

 dener to Mr. Beck, of Isleworth, for a fine specimen of the 

 larger and best variety of Oncidiumampliatum. To Messrs. 

 Fairbairn, of Clapham, for Erica vestita coccinea. To Mr. 

 Moore, gardener to R. Hanbury, Esq., for a plant of Onci- 

 dium albo-violaceum ; and to Mr. R. Fish, gardener to Col. 

 Sowerby, for British Queen Strawberries ; this variety was 

 stated to be most suitable for forcing when very early fruit 

 is not wanted. 



Novelties from the Society's Garden. Berberis trifo- 

 liata, which has been proved to be hardy ; Cuphea pubiflora, 

 and Arctostaphylos nitida, the latter a half hardy^ Mexican 

 shrub of little beauty. 



