CViii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Cherry -Laurel Fruits Poisonous to Peafowl. — Mr. Morris 

 recorded the fact that some peafowls at Kew had lately died, 

 their crops being found to be full of the fruit of the common 

 Laurel. As the pulp is harmless, it was suggested that perhaps 

 their death was due to prussic acid being developed from the 

 kernels, though the presence of the stone appeared to negative 

 that being the cause, otherwise it was difficult to account 

 for it. 



Laburnum as a Poison. — Dr. Miiller observed that although 

 Laburnum appears to be exceedingly poisonous in all parts of 

 the tree, the roots, flowers, and seeds having all been known to 

 have poisoned human beings, yet rabbits will eat the bark with 

 impunity. 



Phylloxera at Chisivick. — Mr. Morris called the attention of 

 the Committee to the appearance of this disease, and invited 

 the members to pronounce as to the treatment of it, as it was 

 undoubtedly present in one vinery in the Chiswick Gardens, 

 containing young plants from Hungary. It was first observed on 

 a single plant at one corner, but both root and leaf galls had since 

 been found on another plant at the other end. Although the 

 presence of the Phylloxera would suggest the opportunity for a 

 careful series of investigations and experiments, yet it was the 

 opinion of the Committee that it was far too serious a matter, 

 and they were unanimous in counselling instant destruction of 

 everything growing in the house. The following process was 

 suggested, and was carried out at once : — (1) Syringing the 

 whole of the interior of the fabric as well as the ground and 

 Vines with water, then to burn sulphur, the presence of the 

 water being desirable in order to absorb the sulphurous acid gas ; 

 this process to be repeated ; (2) to burn every part of every 

 plant, as well as to calcine the soil thoroughly ; (3) to remove 

 and burn all rotten or defective wood that may be in the house ; 

 and lastly (4) to have the whole of the woodwork well scraped 

 and repainted. It is hoped that these suggestions will be useful, 

 and followed out elsewhere should the Phylloxera appear in other 

 gardens. 



Vines, Atrophied Foliage of. — Mr. Morris showed specimens 

 of a very common condition of Vines, several occurring in the 

 house above mentioned, in which the lateral shoots were dwarfed, 

 the leaves being only about an inch across. It has been a source 



