Hv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



that our common Birch is sometimes silver-barked and papery, but 

 not always, and they do not assume this until old trees. This 

 Japan Birch is a very robust grower, does not run up like the com- 

 mon Birch, and will make a useful tree. We have about ten large 

 trees, 15 to 20 feet high, and several hundreds 2 to 3 feet. We 

 intend increasing it, as it seeds freely." 



Forcing by Electric Light. — Dr. Masters brought forward some 

 specimens exhibited by Mr. Buchanan, gardener to Dr. Siemens, 

 and commented on the new power placed in the hands of the 

 gardener by the agency of the electric light. The specimens from 

 Dr. Siemens' gardens consisted of — 



1. Three pots of seedliug Mustard, one of which had been ex- 

 posed to the electric light, oue to the daylight, and one to both — 

 other conditions being equal. In this case there was not much 

 difference in point of vigour, but the plant which had been exposed 

 to solar and electric light was darker in colour. 



2. The buds of Countess of Oxford Bose, one exposed to the 

 electric light for ft rty-eight hours, one grown as usual. The bud 

 under the electric light was considerably more advanced. 



3. Two spathes of Calla acthiopica, one grown in the ordinary 

 manner, the other subjected for forty-eight hours to the electric 

 light. In this case the difference was exceedingly striking, the 

 plant which had been grown under the electric light being greatly 

 in advance of the other. Cut specimens similarly treated manifested 

 an equally striking difference. 



4. Three pots of Carrots, three in each pot; one had been 

 exposed to continuous light, first solar, and then electric ; one had 

 been exposed to the electric light only, and one had been exposed 

 to daylight only — all other conditions being uniform. In these 

 latter specimens there was very little difference between the plants 

 grown under solar and those under the electric light, but the plants 

 subjected to both were greatly superior in vigour and colour. 



Insects Injurious to Cypress.— Further specimens were sent by 

 the Hon. and Bev. J. T. Boscawen, which were referred to Mr. 

 MacLachlan. The injuries inflicted were very serious, the whole 

 of the branches on the lower two-thirds of the tree being killed. 



Retirement of Mr. Jennings.— Dr. Masters moved, and Colonel 



