EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS. 



lxxxix 



EE POET TO THE COUNCIL FEOM THE CHLSWJLCK 

 BOAED OF DIEECTOES. 



February, 18G9. 



1. The Directors report that, besides the work performed by 

 the Emit Committee at its ordinary meetings held at South 

 Kensington, several experiments have been conducted at Chis- 

 wick under its immediate supervision. All the new Peas that 

 were introduced last season were sown, and compared with the 

 previously existing varieties ; a collection of thirty sorts of Eunner 

 Beans was also sown and. proved ; and a test of the various kinds 

 of Lettuce, as to their utility in standing the winter in the open 

 air. Eeports upon all of these subjects have been prepared. 



2. Among Eruits, Eigs and Strawberries have received special 

 attention. The house which was transferred from South Ken- 

 sington for the accommodation of the former has proved in every 

 way well adapted for the purpose, and has enabled the Com- 

 mittee to investigate the rich collection which the Society now 

 possesses in a way for which there was no previous provision. 

 Several new and valuable varieties of Eigs have thus been ascer- 

 tained, and are now in the course of distribution to the Eellows ; 

 and it may be gratifying to the Council to know that, by the 

 assistance thus afforded, a great impulse has been given to fig- 

 culture in this country, which is evidenced by the unusually nu- 

 merous applications which have been made for cuttings. 



3. An immense collection of Strawberries now exists in the 

 G-arden; and during the past season many new varieties have 

 fruited, and have been compared with the others, their various 

 qualities and merits ascertained, and a Eeport has been pre- 

 pared. 



Arrangements have this season been made for carrying out ex- 

 periments on the influence of the stock on the scion, and vice 

 versa, which it is hoped may lead to important results by the 

 investigation of the affinities of vegetable tissues. These expe- 

 riments will not be confined to the scions and stocks at present 

 in ordinary use, but will embrace subjects the union of w r hich 

 with each other has never before been attempted. 



4. The cultivation of Oranges has recently received some at- 

 tention, and promises to become general in all gardens where 

 glass houses exist. The success which has already attended those 

 who have made the experiment of growing oranges, not for oraa- 



VOL. II. h 



