68 Transactions of the Horticultural Society. 



more congenial to vegetation ; retaining a more equable tem- 

 perature and degree of moisture in the graft, than is likely to 

 be done by a thin coating of any description of resinous mat- 

 ter. So far Mr. Powell's practice may be considered retro- 

 grading ; but to the amateur, who had rather his hands smelt 

 of wax than were crusted with clay, it may possibly be con- 

 sidered as an improvement. 



58. Some Remarks on the supposed Influence of the Pollen in Cross- 

 breeding upon the Colour of the Seed-coats of Plants, and the Qua- 

 lities of their Fruits. By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. F.R.S. 

 President. Read June 3. 1823. 



This being a subject on which physiologists are far from 

 being agreed, little advantage would result from discussing it 

 here. Mr. Knight is of opinion " that neither the colour of 

 the seed-coats, nor the form, taste or flavour of fruits are ever 

 affected by the immediate influence of the pollen of a plant 

 of another variety or species." A number of physiologists 

 and gardeners, however, contend, that not only the colour of 

 the seed-coats, but the size, taste, and flavour of fruits may 

 be affected by the pollen of a variety of a different character. 

 Cases of hybridized apples, melons, and other fruits, are said 

 to be familiar to various cultivators. (See Encyc. of Gard. 823, 

 824.) 



59. An Account of a New Variety of Plum, called the Doivnton 

 Imperatrice. In a letter to the Secretary. By Thomas Andrew 

 Knight, Esq. F.R.S. &c. President. Read Dec. 2. 1823. 



A hopeful fruit, originating from the white magnum bo- 

 num as the mother, and the blue imperatrice as the male parent. 

 It is named by the Society the Downton Imperatrice ; but as 

 the specimens sent were the first fruit it had ever produced, 

 it would rather be premature to say much as to character. 



60. Observations upon the Effects of Age upon Fruit Trees of dif- 

 ferent Kinds / with an Account of some new Varieties of Nectarines. 



In a letter to the Secretary. By Thomas Andrew Knight, Esq. 

 F.R.S. &c President. "Read March 2. 1824. 



Desultory remarks " upon the question, whether each 

 variety have its period of youth, of maturity, and of old age, 

 and be formed for a limited period of duration only ; or whether 

 each be capable of eternal propagation, with undiminished 

 health and vigour." This is a difficult subject, and it is to 

 be regretted that the President has so few co-operators in 



