EXTRACTS EROM PROCEEDINGS. 



XV 



tion to an experiment made by his gardener, Mr. Sherratt, the 

 results of which were exemplified in two stems of Dendrobium 

 anosmum. Erom one all the flowers had been stripped off but 

 two, on the other all were allowed to remain, and the result was, 

 that the flowers on the former were much larger than those on 

 the latter — a result for which Mr. Bateman said he was hardly 

 prepared ; for though he knew that the flowers varied in number 

 according to the health and strength of the plants, he was not 

 aware that they could be thus increased in size. 



April 16. — This second Spring Show was in all respects an 

 excellent exhibition, being made up of brilliant Azaleas, Roses, 

 Rhododendrons, Cinerarias, and other plants. The weather was, 

 however, wet and cold. The prize group of Azaleas, consisted of 

 Gem, Chelsoni, Advance, Elegantissima, Stella, and finely bloomed 

 plants of Roi Leopold, Sir Charles Napier, Magnificent, and 

 Iveryana ; and that of Rhododendrons contained Augustum, deli- 

 cate pink ; Nero, dark rosy purple ; Illuminator, with large 

 trusses of rose-coloured flowers ; Vervaeanum, semidouble, bluish 

 lilac ; Griswoodianum, blush ; and Erectum, deep rose — all in ex- 

 cellent condition, contributed by Messrs. Lane and Son, of Berk- 

 hempstead. 



Among novelties Messrs. Veitch and Sons produced the follow- 

 ing amongst others : — Coleas Veitchii, a species from New Cale- 

 donia, with handsome leaves, chocolate-coloured in the centre and 

 edged with bright lively green ; Hypocyrta brevicalyx (since named 

 Gloxinia liypocyrtiflora) from Ecuador, with singular-looking glo- 

 bular orange blossoms and small obovate leaves, veined with 

 white ; Panicum variegatum, a South-Sea Island plant, forming a 

 dense mass of slender branches furnished with pretty red, white, 

 and green- striped lanceolate foliage ; and the charming purple- 

 blossomed Primula cortusoides amcena, a Japan species, stated to 

 have proved hardy in this country. Mr. William Paul contri- 

 buted a yellowish- leaved Elm named TJlmus aurea ; and the double- 

 flowered Crimson Thorn (Crataegus Oxyacantlia coccinea flore- 

 pleno), a brilliant variety which cannot be too highly praised. It 

 is a sport from the old Double Pink Hawthorn. Mr. Turner, of 

 Slough, showed quite a large group of Seedling Alpine Auriculas, 

 the majority having dark ground-colours. Generally they were 

 very attractive. The darkest hues were represented by Brutus, a 

 bold and striking purplish violet ; Nero, glossy maroon-crimson, 

 with bright sulphur paste, bold and showy; Mabel, dark glossy 



