lxxiv 



ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A sample of water to be retained for examination when distilled 

 water cannot be used. 



It may, perhaps, also be desirable to fill moderate-sized flower- 

 pots with soil from each of the experimental boxes, and to grow 

 in each a single and strong plant, side by side with the more nu- 

 merous specimens in the several boxes. 



The preceding experiments cannot be undertaken without a 

 good deal of trouble ; but it is confidently expected that they will 

 throw light on the conditions most conducive to the rapid deve- 

 lopment of various orders or species of plants, as regards some of 

 the more characteristic manuring elements present in complex 

 manures ; and they may lead to a more systematic and certain 

 mode of treatment not only of these but also of other plants as 

 regards manuring. 



Some of the manures recommended in the foregoing scheme are 

 known to favour early maturity ; it is therefore likely that the 

 experiments w r ill suggest others which may be of much value to 

 fruit-growers. 



November 17, 1868. 

 A. Murray, Esq., in the Chair. 



The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. 



A letter from Dr. Chapman, of Abergavenny, was read, relative 

 to the habits of Platypus cylindras, accompanied by specimens 

 of oak bored by the perfect insect. It was conjectured that the 

 larva lived upon moulds developed on the walls of the perforation. 

 Though, however, the w r alls were certainly covered with mould, 

 it was supposed more probable that the larva was enabled to ob- 

 tain sustenance from the wood itself. The Secretary was desired 

 to communicate with Dr. Chapman, with a view to obtain speci- 

 mens for the Entomological Collection. 



Two letters from Mr. J. Anderson Henry were read, relative to 

 Mr. Darwin's views respecting heteromorphic unions. He stated 

 that crosses between certain plants w r ere more easily obtained 

 under certain electrical conditions and the presence of ozone, and 

 that the late season had been peculiarly favourable for such in- 

 vestigations. He had obtained crosses this year which he had 

 in vain attempted before. He stated that grafting was sometimes 

 useful in causing a predisposition to crossing, and that seeds ob- 

 tained from extreme crosses were slow of germination. Dr. 



