TPH EaORGHTD: REVIbW: 
Vor. XIV.] AUGUST, 1906. {[No. 164. 
THE HYBRIDISATION CONFERENCE, 
THE International Conference on Hybridisation and Cross-Breeding, 
convened by the Royal Horticultural Society commenced, on Monday 
evening, July 30th, with a conversazione in the Society's Large Hall, 
Vincent Square, and an address of welcome to the delegates was given by 
Sir Trevor Lawrence, President of the Society. He welcomed the guests 
not only on behalf of the Society, but of the whole world of horticulture. 
He was sure that they would listen with the greatest interest to the papers 
that would be read to the Conference. The gardening industry was a very 
important one, and he might say was at the head of the minor industries 
of this country. The general public did not fully realise the great obliga- 
tion they were under to plant breeders, for there was scarcely a garden, 
however humble, that did not contain some plants whose existence was due 
to their intelligence and industry. He reminded his audience of Huxley's 
words that the scientific spirit was more valuable than any of its results. 
With regard to plant breeding—and he did not claim to be a scientist—he 
had devoted a certain amount of attention to the cultivation of Orchids, and 
he could recommend it as a most instructive pursuit. Before long the 
supply of Orchids from abroad would cease [We hope not.—Ep.’, and we 
should be entirely dependent upon our own breeders. There was scarcely 
a collector who had not got his house full of seedlings. A number of 
interesting papers had been promised, and it was known that they were of 
great value, judging by the names attached to them. They would appear 
in full in the Society’s Fournal. 
A number of exhibits were ranged round the hall, chiefly relating to the 
question of genetic variation and heredity, but practically nothing relating 
to Orchids, the only exception noticed being in a group of exhibits from 
Mr. C. C. Hurst, F.L.S., which included two photographs of Paphiopedilum 
x Hera, illustrated on pp. 71, 72 of our eleventh volume. 
The proceedings proper opened on Tuesday morning, July 31st, with an- 
inaugural address from Mr. W. Bateson, F.R.S.., V.M.H., President of the 
‘Conference, “On the Progress of Genetic Research.” “He began by . 
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