1G0 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



anther in one flower. He fertilised the pistil with the pollen of 

 the same flower. From this fifteen double and semi-double 

 offspring were obtained ; and so he laid the foundation of that 

 admirable section of greenhouse rhododendrons. 



Again the principle of homology shows that, protoplasm being 

 common to all parts of the plant, any one part, if in an active 

 state of growth — i.e., still with embryonic tissue — may be utilised 

 for propagating purposes, since any fragment carries within itself, 

 potentially, the whole plant. Hence arises the ease in multiplying 

 any variety; while to perpetuate and fix a variety, constancy in 

 the external conditions should be maintained as well as self- 

 fertilisation of the flowers. On the other hand, if diversity be 

 looked for and new varieties desired, as much difference as can 

 be obtained in the nature of the environment as possible should 

 be secured, and the intercrossing of distinct races and species 

 should be practised. 



CHISWICK, July 14, 1897. 



A desire having been expressed by many Fellows of the 

 Society that a meeting should be held at Chiswick some time 

 during 1897, the Council decided to invite the members of all 

 the Committees to lunch with them at the Gardens on 

 Wednesday, July 14. Invitations were issued accordingly, and 

 about seventy members, in addition to the Council and officers, 

 attended on the appointed day. 



Having examined the various trials in progress, and noticed 

 the new glass-houses erected during the last two or three years, 

 the company sat down to an excellent luncheon, provided by 

 Messrs. Spiers & Pond. The President, Sir Trevor Lawrence, 

 Bart., occupied the chair, supported by Sir Joseph Hooker, 

 G.C.S.I., C.B., and the members of the Council. 



Each of the Society's five Committees was well represented, 

 there being present ten members of the Scientific Committee, 

 twenty-one of the Fruit Committee, twenty-two of the Floral 

 Committee, sixteen of the Orchid Committee, and four of the 

 Narcissus Committee. 



The toast of her Majesty having been duly honoured, the 

 President rose and gave to all a hearty welcome, expressing his 



