SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, DECEMBER 15. 



clxxxv 



others have gone in the same way, no other trees in the neighbourhood 

 being affected. Dr. Cooke, V.M.H., reported : " The young branches of 

 Pear-tree are marked with effused patches, which are rough with slight 

 elevations, causing cracking of the cuticle, such as would naturally 

 result from the growth of abnormal pustules beneath the cuticle. In this 

 instance, although in a young and immature condition, I have no doubt 

 that these pustules or elevations are caused by the early or conidia- 

 bearing stage of a fungus which is not uncommon, and in this condition 

 has been known under the generic name of Cytospora. Later on, and in 

 a more perfect condition, it is known as Eutypella prunastri, described 

 and figured in the Journal, vol. xxviii. p. 4, fig. 3. In the present case 

 no conidia have been formed, so that the disease may be kept in check. It 

 is advisable to spray the branches with Bordeaux mixture at intervals, 

 so as to destroy the vitality of any conidia which may be formed. If this 

 is not successful, the diseased parts should be cut out and burnt, and the 

 wounds well protected." 



Scientific Work at Wisley. — Dr. Masters, F.R.S., read the draft of a 

 report which it was proposed to send to the Council. After consideration 

 and slight alteration it was adopted by the Committee in the following 

 form : — 



To the President and Council of the Boyal Horticultural Society. 



Gentlemen, — At several recent meetings of the Scientific Committee a 

 discussion has taken place as to the establishment of a laboratory in the 

 Society's Garden and as to the appointment of a Director competent to 

 initiate, carry on, or direct experiments and scientific researches having a 

 bearing on practical horticulture. 



It will be remembered that on a former occasion the object and scope 

 of such an experimental station were explained in general terms, as de- 

 tailed in the report of the Proceedings of the Scientific Committee on 

 March 10, 1903 (Vol. XXVIII. p. xxviii). On April 7 (Vol. XXVIII. 

 p. xxxiv) a reply was received stating that the Council were of opinion 

 that under "existing circumstances " the consideration of the matter had 

 better be deferred for twelve months. 



Since that date the circumstances have been very materially altered 

 by the announced decision of the Council to abandon Chiswick and by 

 their acceptance of the munificent gift by Sir Thomas Hanbury of the 

 Garden at Wisley. 



It appears to the Scientific Committee that the general conditions 

 for the establishment of a scientific department at Wisley are not so 

 favourable in some particulars as they would have been at Chiswick, but 

 that in other ways they may prove more so, whilst the necessity for such 

 a department is as great or greater than ever. 



Accordingly I was requested to bring the subject again under the 

 notice of the Council, and to furnish a rough estimate of the probable cost 

 of an establishment devoted to the purposes of investigation only, and not 

 for the instruction of students, a matter which has not been taken into 

 consideration by your Committee, but which would probably entail a 

 little additional cost. It is suggested that at Wisley a wooden building 

 on a permanent foundation, measuring, say, 36 feet by 12, and containing 



