I 



EOTAJj nORTIOULTUEAL SOCIETY. 



both as regards labour and glass accommodation. No less than 

 45,227 plants thus reared have been contributed by Chiswick for 

 this purpose during the present year. 



7. In addition to the plants referred to in the foregoing para- 

 graphs, 927 varieties of plants, old and new, such as Pelargo- 

 niums, Verbenas, Tropaeolums, Calceolarias, &c, have been grown 

 for judicial examination by the Floral Committee. The groups 

 of the older kinds, grown as standards for comparison, were very 

 attractive in their season; but the newer varieties have been 

 less successful, owing chiefly to two causes — the late date and 

 weakly condition in which, in too many cases, the plants were 

 received, and the unpropitious weather of the past summer. It 

 is hoped that in future the plants may be obtained earlier in the 

 season, in better condition, and that more extended and useful 

 results may be obtained. 



8. Attention has been given to Hybridizing, and the rearing of 

 novelties for the use of the Fellows ; and the Directors are highly 

 gratified to be able to report that M. Bause, the foreman of the 

 Floral Department, has won for himself the credit of having pro- 

 duced an entirely new race of golden-leaved Caladiums. A very 

 large number of hybridized Caladiums has been reared, showing 

 great variety in the colouring and marking of the leaves, and in- 

 cluding amongst them several highly ornamental novelties ; but 

 the production of the golden-leaved forms (which include three 

 or four distinct variations) has been the most marked instance of 

 success. Besides these, some promising variegated zonal Pelar- 

 goniums have been obtained, as well as a crop of hybridized forms 

 of Coleus, and of some other plants, which, are not as yet suffi- 

 ciently developed to show whether any improvement has been 

 gained. 



9. Sympathizing heartily with the expressions of regret which 

 are frequently heard as to the neglect into which hardy herba- 

 ceous perennials have been allowed to fall, to the curtailment of 

 the beauty and interest of English flower-gardens, the Directors 

 have set about the formation of a collection of these plants, with 

 the view to revive the taste for them by facilitating the selection 

 of those best adapted for particular seasons and particular situa- 

 tions. To this end, they hope to secure examples of all the more 

 ornamental and really interesting species. As plants of this cha- 

 racter are frequently preserved in country gardens after they dis- 

 appear from general cultivation, and thus become difficult of ac- 



