EXTRACTS OF PROCEEDINGS. 



cxi 



Melampsora vernalis on Saxifraga granulata. — This fungus, 

 ■which is doubtless the teleutospore form of the so-called Creoma 

 Saxifraga?, was found by Mr. James Taylor of Clarkfarquhar, is 

 also exhibited. 



Melampsora on Salix rcpens. — The uredospores of this were 

 this year produced on a plant of S. repens, that has been growing 

 for three or fours years in my garden, by applying to it the spores 

 of Cseoma Orchidia. It is probably a distinct and undescribed 

 species, as no effect was produced on S. caprea and viminalis by 

 the Caeoma spores. C. Orchidis has been the subject of many 

 cultures made by me during the past nine years. The infecting 

 material and the uredo produced are exhibited. 



Potato Disease. — It would be highly desirable if some simple 

 experiments could be conducted this year. The long-continued 

 rains will doubtless induce the disease, and as such experiments 

 could very easily be made it seems a pity the opportunity should 

 be let slip. The effect of high moulding of alternate rows of 

 some variety fairly suspectible is all that is required to show the 

 protective influence of an efficient earth-covering on the tubers ; 

 but the recent experiments in France and in America, showing 

 how powerful are the restraining influence of copper dressings 

 applied to the foliage of the plants upon the development of the 

 Phytophthora, certainly ought to be tried. Now that we know 

 the mycelium of the Phytophthora is localised, and that it 

 does not extend " down the stems and along the roots," it is 

 obvious that the spread of the disease takes place only by the 

 enormously prodigious production of the conidia ; hence it fol- 

 lows that any agent which can arrest this development, and also 

 sterilise such conidia as may alight upon the healthy foliage, must 

 have a powerful influence for good in checking the spread of the 

 disease. The power that copper dressings have in limiting the 

 spread of the Peronospora on the Vine has been known in France 

 for many years. 



A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Plowright for his 

 valuable communication. 



