Transactions of the Lo7idon Horticultural Society. 347 



contains, and partly because it proves experimentally the superiority of single 

 eyes, as sets, to whole tubers. The experiment was made in the year 1832, in 

 the Horticultural Society's Garden, when five plots of ground of equal size, 

 and as nearly as possible of equal quality, were selected for the growth of 

 five different varieties. One half of each of these plots was planted with 

 whole tubers, and the other with sets containing but one eye each ; the plants 

 were 1 ft. apart in the rows, and the rows themselves 18 in. apart. The 

 result in round numbers, and on five acres, is about two tons in favour of 

 single eyes. 



The experiment was next tried in a piece of ground in quality as nearly 

 uniform as possible, which was divided into 4 ft. squares. In the centre of 

 each square was planted either a tuber, or a single eye, or a set containing 

 three eyes, or the whole surface of a tuber pared off, so as to leave the eyes 

 safe, but to remove the centre. The I'esult in this case was, in 13 cases in 16 

 in favour of single eyes as compared with tubers; in 9 cases in 16 in favour- 

 of single eyes, as compared with sets containing three eyes ; and in 10 cases 

 in 16 in favour of single eyes as compared with parings. Or in the propor- 

 tion of whole tubers 2 ; single eyes 1 1 ; three eyes 5 ; and parings 4. 



Another experiment for the purpose of ascertaining the same object was 

 tried, in which the rows of tubers were 4 ft. apart instead of 18 in. and the 

 plants 6 in. apart in the rows. Here the tubers had full room to grow, but, 

 notwithstanding this, the produce was in favour of single eyes in 4 cases out 

 of 5. 



On these experiments Dr. Lindley observes, that if they can be deemed 

 conclusive, and he can discover no probable source of error, the opinion 

 which has been entertained of the superior productiveness of tubers over sets 

 is unfounded, a conclusion to which Sir George Mackenzie has also come, 

 from experiments made by him in Ross-shire. 



56. On Benthdmia fragifera and the Climate of Mussoree, its 'native Country. 

 By J. F. Royle, now Professor Royle, of King's College, London. Read 

 May 6. 1834. 



This highly ornamental shrub being now in general cultivation in choice 

 collections, we pass on to 



57. Observations and Discoveries connected with the Culture of Melons. By 



G. J. Towers, Esq., C.M.H.S. Read December 3. 1833. 



From certain experiments which are described, Mr. Towers draws the 

 following conclusions : — 



" First. That the melon will protrude roots into water, which will ramify 

 therein most abundantly ; that they will not rot or become inert in water j 

 and that, so far from the melon plant becoming diseased by this fluid medium, 

 the foliage will remain healthy and in full activity, and the fruit attain to per- 

 fect maturity. 



" Second. That cuttings of the melon and cucumber plants, also single 

 leaves, will strike speedily and almost with certainty in pure water, and may 

 be removed into soil with safety ; in which, if the quality be appropriate, the 

 roots will strike without loss of time. The heat need not exceed 70°, per- 

 haps less would be sufficient. Although leaves will strike root, I am not as 

 yet in possession of facts to prove that germs will be produced from rooted 

 leaves. The melon leaf, in fact, perished ; not, however, in consequence of 

 being placed in earth, but because I removed it to another glass vessel, in 

 which there was a weak solution of nitre and camphor ; these stimulants ap- 

 peared to be fatal to the roots in a very short period. 



" Third. The water, wherein the young plants produced roots and remained 

 for two or three weeks, continued colourless, clear, and perfectly sweet. It 

 is well known, that, if flowers or small shoots of shrubs be placed in water, a 

 fetid odour is quickly discernible, the fluid becomes foul and tainted. In the 



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