134 Notices of Communications to the Society, of which 



whether they are kept in the stove, or green-house, it is es- 

 sential that they should be in the shade, as the sun scorches 

 and spots the leaves, and gives the plants an unsightly 

 appearance. When his plants exhibit blossom buds, Mr. 

 Nairn keeps them in a temperature from 50° to 60°, by 

 which means they flower in March, and the blossoms exhibit 

 their contrasted colours in greater brilliancy than when 

 forced early. 



At the same Meeting. Dr. Hill, whose account of the bene- 

 ficial application of Oxygen Gas in promoting vegetation, has 

 been published in a former volume of the Transactions,* this 

 day exhibited a farther proof of the utility of it, in its ope- 

 ration on an Orange tree, which was in the fullest vigour and 

 luxuriance. The account of this new experiment is thus de- 

 tailed by Dr. Hill. The plant now shewn had been put 

 aside in his garden in Russell Street, being, to all appear- 

 ance, dead, and had remained exposed for some weeks ; in 

 this state it was re-potted in common mould, and placed, 

 in July last, in the window of the drawing-room, which has 

 a south aspect. New River water, saturated with oxygen 

 gas, was sparingly but regularly supplied to the soil and 

 roots for some time ; in the course of a few weeks, fresh 

 shoots progressively extended themselves, and during the 

 autumn surrounded the old stump with considerable strength. 

 The mildness of the autumn and winter allowed the new 

 branches to ripen, and in the spring the plant attained its 

 present favourable appearance, assisted by the continuance 

 of the application of the oxygen gas through the medium ot 

 the water 



* Vol. 1. page '<i;)3. 



