SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, NOVEMBER 10. clxxxi 



was recalled that recommendations had already been laid before the 

 Council, but they, knowing that they would shortly be moving to Wisley, 

 had not seen their way at the time to consider the proposals favourably. 

 Mr. YVorsdell suggested communications with foreign horticultural insti- 

 tutions to gather hints of their methods, which might be turned to 

 account. He would maintain that the scientific director should be a 

 broad-minded man, and not merely a specialist ; one who had a good 

 knowledge of botany and practical horticulture. Professor Church, F.R.S., 

 thought a start should be made in a humble way, only such instru- 

 ments being obtained as the need arose for them. Mr. Massee, V.M.H., 

 mentioned the following examples of objects worthy of further investiga- 

 tion, which should be undertaken : the silver-leaf disease, the gumming of 

 Hyacinth-bulbs, as well as the investigation of the causes which render 

 some varieties of Potatos immune from the disease, &c. 



Scientific Committee, November 10, 1903. 

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



Scientific Investigations at Wisley. — In reply to Dr. Masters's request 

 for suggestions, Mr. F. J. Baker wrote to say that in his opinion the 

 botanical director should have a sound practical knowledge of general 

 science (including biology, chemistry, and physics), and a sufficiently good 

 knowledge of gardening to enable him to apply facts to such intricate 

 problems as arise in connection with horticulture. He should be able to 

 distinguish between the requirements of artistic, scientific, and economic 

 gardening. Mr. Baker also made suggestions of a financial nature. Dr. 

 Rendle in his communication discusses the question of expense and 

 necessary appliances for the Director, e.g. microscope, apparatus, &c. 



Potatos and Millipedes. — Mr. Chittenden showed Potatos badly- 

 attacked by these creatures. It was thought that an excess of manure 

 and a deficiency of lime favoured their presence. 



Croci new to Cultivation. — Mr. Bowles exhibited some growing plants 

 of interesting species : Crocus Cambessedesii, Gay, introduced to cultiva- 

 tion by Mr. G. Maw, but subsequently lost. It is now re-introduced from 

 Port Mahon in Minorca. It only occurs in Majorca and Minorca. 

 C. caspius, Fischer, and Meyer. This species is new to cultivation. It 

 was collected in Russian Talych at an elevation of 1,000 feet. C. c. var. 

 liliaceus has flowers of a pale rosy-lilac colour ; the throat, as of the type, 

 is of a bright yellow colour. A Botanical Certificate was given to the 

 new species. 



Pears malformed. — Some curious specimens were received from Mr. 

 Goodacre, Elvaston. Prof. Henslow, V.M.H., examined them and reported 

 as follows : " The stalk of the fruit had made a preliminary effort to form 

 a Pear, but only on one side of it, thereby producing a curved, somewhat 

 pointed, wenlike excrescence, due to the hypertrophy of the cortical tissues. 

 This caused a curvature in the stalk ; from out of this depression the 

 stalk continues its growth, finally terminating in an elongated Pear. The 

 core or carpels, when present, for they were in some instances suppressed, 



