XXXvi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



specimen of Anthurium Schcrzcrianum with a leaf half crimson and half 

 green. 



Narcissus with second Corona. — Flowers were sent to the last meeting 

 by Mr. R. 0. Backhouse, Sutton Court, near Hereford, upon which Dr. 

 Masters reported : " The flowers show a series of outgrowths from the 

 outer surface of the cup or corona. They resemble those of the ' frilled ' 

 Daffodils ; but in this case the supplementary growths are at the base 

 only, and are tubular or trumpet-shaped, the mouth of the trumpet 

 being directed outwards. In some cases the outgrowths are so numerous 

 and so regular that they constitute a second corona on the outside of 

 the normal cup, thus resembling the ' cata-corolla ' of some Gloxinias." 



Crane-fly Grubs. — Grubs were sent by Mr. Millburn from Bath, also 

 known as those of " daddy long-legs." Mr. Saunders observed that 

 " they are sometimes known as 'leather-jackets,' from the toughness of 

 the skin, which prevents insecticides from affecting them. A strong 

 solution of common salt or nitrate of soda is distasteful to them, and 

 helps the plants they are attacking. These grubs often come to the 

 surface at night, and subsequently take shelter under turf, boards, &c. 

 If slates and tiles be laid about, they should be turned over in the 

 morning. Various birds — e.g. rooks, starlings, plovers, partridges, and 

 pheasants — devour them. Towards the autumn, when the insects are 

 about, rolling the grass will kill numbers of the flies." 



Malta Botanic Garden. — Dr. Debono writes : — " The Argotti Gardens 

 have been lately enriched with collections of Roses, Chrysanthemums, 

 Carnations, Gladioli, Pelargoniums, and other florist's flowers. You will 

 find in the lists of Pelargoniums one bearing my name, which was issued 

 by Bruant, of Poitiers, and is the starting of a new race, the 1 Cyclope.' 

 In the way of adding evergreens to the exotic flora I have introduced from 

 Australia, by seeds, many trees and shrubs. One, the Myoporum serratum, 

 has proved a desideratum for Malta. Both Lord Grenfell and Lord 

 Annesley were pleased with the double row of trees of it planted in the 

 upper garden. It is a good wind-break, and but for it the cultivation of 

 the plot would have been an impossibility. I have started an experi- 

 mental farm station at Cape Balzan. 



" No use for the Oxalis cemua has as yet been found ; the Ecballium, 

 however, is being cultivated to some extent with a view of preparing the 

 drug. The prickly Comfrey and Caneigre are being experimented on. 

 I have lately read that the Portulacaria afra is being turned to account 

 as forage for cattle. It is claimed that of all South African plants it is 

 the most resistent to dryness. I propose propagating it by the thousand 

 to fill our open spaces with. Horticultural papers have lately spoken of 

 the Ginseng, Aralia (Panax) quinqucfolia : this I will try to introduce 

 as an economic plant. I know its culture is rather difficult, and the 

 Director ef Kew Gardens published a leaflet to this effect; but I hope 

 to succeed in the long run. There is ample field for work in Malta, and 

 I hope something useful from an economic point of view may be hit 

 upon at last." 



