EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS. 



cxlix 



GENERAL MEETING-. 

 June 1, 1869. 



James Batsman, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. 



G-. P. Wilson, Esq., said that Mr. Eenn's experiments on Po- 

 tatos were of so much importance that he had requested him to 

 place his remarks on paper. 



Mr. Berkeley called attention to a fine collection of flowers of 

 iEsculus from Chiswick. In consequence of the hot summer of 

 1S68, seeds of JEsculus californica had ripened, and several plants 

 had been raised from them. 



Flowers of a pink-blossomed Hawthorn were sent by Mr. Wilson 

 Saunders, from a tree which formerly bore white blossoms. 



Specimens of PinusDouglasii suffering from frost were exhibited. 

 Mr. Berkeley remarked that seeds should be obtained from north- 

 ern localities, those from more southern districts being tender and 

 apt to lose their leaders. 



The chairman, referring to the specimens of Calocliortus exhi- 

 bited at the Meeting, hoped that persons travelling through the 

 districts lately visited by Sir C. W. Dilke would not forget that 

 there was many a lovely gem which would be a great acquisition 

 to our gardens. 



The following is the substance of Mr. Eenn's remarks on club- 

 bing :— 



Clubbing is peculiarly prevalent this season, small tubers being 

 produced without any, or only imperfect, foliage. The following 

 method has been adopted for its prevention. The seed potatos 

 are placed in wooden trays, which are simply made of old doors 

 with laths nailed round them. The potatos are kept in a single 

 layer in a subdued light from the moment that they are taken 

 up till about three weeks before the time of planting, when the 

 strongest eye in each is selected and every inferior one scooped 

 out — the consequence of which is, that there is one young shoot 

 to each tuber, as thick as one's little finger, firmly attached to the 

 tuber as the limpet to the rock, and club is completely prevented. 

 A good deal of the club in the present year has probably arisen 

 from the seed potatos consisting of those which were the second 

 growth, at the end of the hot weather. 



VOL. II. p 



