PROCEEDINGS. 



xi 



the broad-leaved Kalmia. It had been obtained between 

 the Azalea rubescens and the Highclere Rhododendron. 

 Other mules also came from the same gardens in the shape 

 of our hardy European purple Rhododendrons, greatly im- 

 proved in foliage by the use of the crimson Indian kinds. 

 These kinds were not only beautifully spotted, but in one 

 instance displayed a peculiar play of colour, the purple half- 

 transparent flowers being beautifully shaded with violet. 

 To Mr. Widnall, Nurseryman, Cambridge, for a specimen 

 of Fuchsia serratifolia, nearly 6 feet in height, well bloomed, 

 but considerably damaged by travelling. 

 Certificates of Merit: To Messrs. Veitch and Son, of Exeter, 

 for Didymocarpus crinitus (the long-haired Didymocarp), 

 a Gloxinia-looking plant with snow-white flowers, streaked 

 in the throat with yellow ; and to Mr. Fish, gardener to 

 Colonel Sowerby, for excellent specimens of Royal George 

 Peaches. Along with the latter were also two melons. 

 " They are sent to exhibit a singularity not often mani- 

 fested. From the fruit-stalk, and very near its junction with 

 the fruit, a slender shoot proceeds ; that is supplied with 

 another fruit, which is swelling freely, and which would no 

 doubt have reached maturity if the ripe one had been cut 

 away below the point of junction. Those much conversant 

 with Melon-growing know how difficult it is to set different 

 fruit, and get them to swell freely on the same plant when 

 set at different times ; and hence their anxiety to start the 

 requisite number at the same time, that they may obtain 

 equal chances of growth. There are some varieties, chiefly 

 of the Cabul kinds, which I find are not so particular in 

 this respect. In such cases a young fruit will commence 

 and swell rapidly, especially when the older fruit is full 

 grown, and is approaching maturity. I have frequently 

 noticed fruit showing, and even setting upon twigs coming 

 from the fruit-stalk, as in the present instance, but this is 

 the only one I have met with in which such a fruit swelled 

 freely before the other was fully ripened. The Melon-plant 

 is growing in a 12-inch pot, filled with loam and charcoal, 

 and is trained over the back path of a stove, the pot being 

 set on the curb wall of the bark bed." 



Novelties from the Society's Garden. Achimenes patens, 

 figured at p. 233 ; Mr. Fortune's Campanula nobilis ; Heli- 

 ophila trifida, an annual with light blue cruciform flowers, 

 with white centres. They open in the morning, close about 

 noon, and drop off soon after. This short duration of the 

 flowers is the more to be regretted as they are produced in 



