civ 



ROYAL HORTICULTUJiAL SOCIETY. 



Ifc is well known that the aerial portion of the roots, which dif- 

 fers in structure from the lower portion, is comparatively much less 

 rich in sugar, sometimes containing as little as 3 per cent. It 

 was therefore hoped that Mr. Pish would still send specimens, 

 especially of the Silesiau Beet. 



Dr. Gilbert stated that possibly an excess of nitrogenous ma- 

 nure would have the effect of swelling the root, so that the upper 

 portion might be less developed. 



The mode of cultivation abroad varies greatly, according to the 

 manner in which the tax is collected, whether from the crop gene- 

 rally or from the actual amount of sugar produced. In the latter 

 case it is obvious that it is of comparatively less importance to dis- 

 courage as much as possible the growth of that part of the plant 

 which contains but little sugar. The matter is therefore one of 

 considerable interest, and ifc is desirable to have specimens espe- 

 cially of the Silesiau Beet. 



A curious fasciated rose-shoot was laid on the table by Dr. 

 Masters, in the upper part of which a white mould w r as developed. 

 Dr. Masters, however, had received no information respecting it. 



A shoot of some Orchid was submitted to Professor "Westwood 

 which contained a living grub, the whole of the interior portion of 

 the shoot being in a state of decomposition. The grub or pupa 

 apparently belonged to some Chrysomelaceous genus, and might 

 possibly account for the presence of the Eurytoma which came be- 

 fore the Meeting on a former occasion. There was, however, no 

 information as to the source whence the Orchid came. 



Mr. Home laid on the table a valuable collection of photo- 

 graphs of insects which bore into sound or decayed wood in India, 

 and of some w r hich feed on leaves. 



Major Trevor Clarke made a communication respecting the 

 effect of drip in producing ulcer in plants, especially Aloes and 

 Amaryllids. He found that Condy's fluid (permanganate of pot- 

 ash) was useful when ajjplied in time. Dr. Voelker thought that 

 carbolic acid would have the same effect. Mr. Wilson Saunders 

 remarked that in such cases he found the component cells swollen 

 and ruptured. 



