xxviii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



stem I cannot say. Both the worms and the Springtails are very injurious to 

 plants ; the latter do not appear to be much affected by limewater. Probably 

 a strong solution of nitrate of soda or common salt would have more effect 

 on them, but I do not know of any experiments that have been made on 

 them." 



Azaleas and Fumago. — Mr. Mortimer sent samples attacked by the 

 common Fumago, probably due to a too close atmosphere. A good 

 washing would be desirable in such cases. They had also been attacked 

 by Thrips. 



Arctic Garden at Kew.- — A suggestion was sent that an " arctic house " 

 should be formed at Kew, " wherein Dwarf Willows and other curious 

 vegetation of the polar regions might be seen associated with some pretty 

 effects of snow and ice, which might be produced in summer." It was 

 observed by the Committee that arctic plants grow better in temperate 

 climates than in the arctic regions, as Papavcr nudicaule, which is found 

 in Spitzbergen, and that many of them are now growing in Kew Gardens, 

 so that the addition of a " cold house " of this character would be super- 

 liuous. 



Cyclamen monstrous. — Mr. A. W. Sutton, V.M.H., sent a plant with 

 one or two of the flowers having a foliaceous bract below it, a not uncommon 

 occurrence, inquiring if it is likely to be perpetuated. Mr. Gordon 

 observed that he found a considerable percentage of seeds raised from 

 flowers thus provided with a leafy bract were reproduced ; but if it were 

 cultivated, as Mr. Sutton observes, " one flower stem would give an 

 almost perfect buttonhole of a flower and leaf together." 



Stone embedded in a Tree. — Rev. A. Harvey, Shirehampton, sent a 

 photograph of a portion of a root of an Ash tree. It was cut down 

 in 1870. The root had grown entirely over so as to envelop the stone. 



Conifers. — Dr. Masters, F.R.S., exhibited a large series of cones of 

 various species from Westonbirt, as well as several of the novelties dis- 

 covered in Central and South-west China by Mr. Wilson when collecting 

 for Messrs. Jas. Veitch, explaining their localities and other details. 



Scientific Committee, March 10, 1903. 



Dr. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, with eighteen members present, and 

 Mr. de B. Crawshay, visitor. 



Scientific Investigations. — Dr. Masters, F.R.S., proposed the following 

 r< Bolution, which was seconded by Mr. Shea and carried unanimously: — 

 That in the opinion of this Committee it is desirable that a department 

 should be established in connection with the Society's Gardens for the con- 

 duct of original research, experiment, and investigation on matters having 

 an important bearing on practical horticulture. The Committee are further 

 of opinion that this department should be placed under the management 

 of an adequately paid and competent scientific man, acting under the 

 direction of the Council, and in co-operation with the Superintendent of 

 the Garden. 



The Committee will be pleased to offer suggestions as to the nature 



