XXxiv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



before, and had not hitherto been figured or described. At Barbados 

 several times during the last twenty years, and more recently 

 by Professor Harrison and Mr. Bovell, self-sown seedlings of the 

 Sugar-cane had been observed. The subject was taken up system- 

 atically in 1888, and about sixty of the seedlings had been raised 

 to mature canes. Many of these exhibited well-marked charac- 

 teristics, differing from the varieties growing near them. Careful 

 inquiry had shown that canes known as the " Purple Transparent " 

 and " White Transparent," and possibly also the "Bourbon" 

 cane, produced seeds in very moderate quantities. Spikelets 

 received at Kew had been examined and the seed found in situ. 

 A description with figures had recently been laid before the 

 Linnean Society by Mr. Morris. It is anticipated that by cross- 

 fertilisation, and a careful selection of seedlings, it will now be 

 possible to raise new and improved varieties of Sugar-cane, and 

 renew the constitutional vigour of plants that have become 

 deteriorated through continuous cultivation by cutting or slips. 

 Great importance is attached to the subject in Sugar-producing 

 countries, as it opens up an entirely new field of investigation in 

 regard to Sugar-cane cultivation. 



GENERAL MEETING. 

 Makch 25, 1890. 

 Dr. Robekt Hogg, F.L.S., in the Chair. 



Elections. 



Felloivs, 24. — Sir Alex. John Arbuthnot, K.C.S.L, A. Arthur, 

 R. J. Ashton, Hon. Judge Bacon, Hilton C. Barker, Robert 

 Beldam, Henry Daniel, F. T. Edridge, Charles French, Rev. 

 John Green, William Hooper, J. Dunnington Jefferson, Charles 

 Jordan, F. Mackett, A. Matthew, Alex. Miller, Mrs. Caroline 

 Miller, Henry Miller, R. Harris Percy, W 7 illiam Russell, Thomas 

 William Sanders, John F. Seaton, Sir Thomas Wade, and Rev. 

 Alfred Wilson. 



A^paper was read : 

 F.R.H.S. (Paris). 



" On Saladings," by M. Henry de Vilmorin, 



