SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, APRIL 7. 



XXXV 



Narcissus with Double Corona. — Mr. Backhouse sent a variety which 

 is said always to produce small trumpet-like appendages outside the 

 orange corona — a malformation not previously observed. 



Proposed Legislation for the Protection of Fruit Trees. — The Sub- 

 Committee made the following suggestions : — (1) That the matter should 

 be referred to the Fruit Committee as cultivators ; (2) the Herefordshire 

 County Council (with whom the movement initiated) had failed to make 

 out a sufficient case for legislation ; (3) forethought, vigilance, and good 

 cultivation would be more effectual than an Act of Parliament ; (4) there 

 should be concerted action among growers in checking diseases &c, e.g. 

 the Gooseberry-sawfly, which might be done if every cultivator in any 

 district would dust or spray his bushes when attacked, and in the winter 

 would remove a few inches of soil and burn or bury it deeply ; (5) the 

 Board of Agriculture has power to take immediate action in special cases ; 

 (6) self-interest on the part of the nurseryman would be more effective 

 than occasional visits of an inspector ; (7) the proposal to appoint a 

 Government entomologist and mycologist is already to some extent acted 

 upon by the Board of Agriculture : this should be more widely known ; 

 (8) it may be suggested that the Board of Agriculture might co-operate 

 with the Society in establishing a permanent scientific research and 

 experimental station to deal with plant diseases &c= 



Peas attacked by Beetles. — Samples were received from Mr. Gregory, 

 of Croydon, upon which Mr. Saunders reported : — " The Peas from India 

 are attacked by Bruchus pisi, generally held to be introduced from abroad, 

 but it is so common now that it is difficult to be quite certain on this 

 point. Peas badly attacked should be destroyed at once, as they are of 

 little or no use, and are only a source of infection." 



Bose Shoot with Grub. — A shoot of a Rose was received through 

 Mr. F. J. Baker, attacked by a borer, upon which Mr. Saunders reported : 

 The grub is that of the sawfly (Pcecilosoma candidatum). Many of 

 these insects have more than one brood during the year. The infected 

 shoot should be cut off and burnt, or the flies should be caught when 

 flying about the bushes." 



Manure with Grubs. — Samples were received from Dr. Parsons, 

 Croydon. Mr. Saunders reported : — " The grubs are of a fly of the 

 genus Bibio, to which the common St. Mark's fly (B. Marci) belongs. 

 These grubs are very injurious when they attack the roots of plants. 

 They are generally found in decaying vegetable matter or manure. They 

 will soon turn to chrysalides, and the flies will appear in about a month. 

 They can easily be caught in a net." 



Scientific Committee, April 21, 1903. 



Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and ten members present. 



Aroids, coloured Foliage. — Sir Trevor Lawrence, V.M.H., and Mr. 

 Odell exhibited examples of yellow-spathed Richardias with leaves half- 

 yellow. As the upper half of the leaf was spotted, it was suggestive 

 of a possible dissociation of hybrid characters. Sir Trevor also sent a 



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