clxxxii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



were situated very close to the terminal depression which contained the 

 calyx and other remnants of the flower." 



Dictamnus albus (Fraxinella) capsules. — Dr. Masters, F.R.S., showed 

 specimens illustrating the peculiar way the endocarp separates from the 

 outer wall of each follicle. Then, by twisting, it jerks the seeds out. 

 It was remarked that the seeds must not be allowed to dry lest they fail 

 to germinate. Dr. Masters said he had a correspondent in Holland who 

 told him that though the plant produced abundance of seeds in his garden, 

 and he had for twenty years sown them regularly immediately after they 

 ripened, not a single seed had ever germinated. Mr. Divers of Belvoir 

 Castle, however, reported that with him the seed germinates freely by 

 keeping it till March, and then sowing it in a seed-pan in a cold frame. 



Scientific Committee, November 24, 1903. 

 Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and tw 7 elve members present. 



Scientific Investigations at Wisley. — Prof. Boulger remarked that it 

 would be a comparatively inexpensive procedure to erect a Pine-wood 

 building on a brick foundation for laboratory, store-room, &c, probably not 

 exceeding £200 in cost. The equipment might be estimated to cost 

 another £100, and the annual outlay, including remuneration to the 

 Director, say £350. It was proposed to add these as suggestions to the 

 memorial to be sent to the Council. 



Canker in Apple-trees. — Badly diseased twdgs were received from the 

 neighbourhood of Salisbury. They proved to be attacked by Nectria 

 ditissima. The only remedy suggested by Mr. Massee was to prune off 

 all small wood and burn it, as well as to cut out diseased parts of boughs, 

 and tar the places. 



Pear Shoots diseased. — Specimens of diseased shoots were received 

 from Mr. Ed. Till, Eynsford, Kent. Mr. Massee, Y.M.H., suggested the 

 following procedure : " The twigs are attacked by a fungus called Fusi- 

 cladium pirinum. All diseased twigs should be pruned, and, along with 

 fallen leaves and fruit lying under the tree, collected and burned. It 

 would be an advantage to spray the tree with Bordeaux-mixture next 

 spring, just after the leaf -buds have expanded." 



Experiments for Commercial Purjjoses. — Mr. F. Baker reported some 

 results of his experiments and observations on leguminous plants. For 

 the last five years a few varieties of garden Peas, field Peas, Runner Beans, 

 Vetches, Sainfoin, and other plants of the same natural order, have been 

 grown on good and on poor soil respectively, parts of each plot being 

 specially well tilled, parts dunged, and parts treated with phosphatic and 

 potassic fertilisers. Strips were arranged so that some spots should be 

 well tilled, and also have a dressing of all the fertilisers, and other spots 

 were made to vary from nearly the same treatment to the poorest field 

 culture. Results have shown that garden Peas and Beans cannot be 

 profitably grown in very poor soil, manured solely with mineral fertilisers ; 

 but these respond well to tillage, dung, and then the minerals. On the 

 other hand, Vetches, field Peas, Sainfoin, and others of the older plants 

 grown on the farm can be most profitably grown on poor soil, manured 



