XXXviii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of names — Mr. Jensen originally called variety tecta — the ears 

 retain their shape, the awns do not fall off, and the kernels are 

 converted into solid compact masses of black spores ; not so 

 compact, however, as to withstand the concussion of the threshing 

 machine without being disintegrated into fine powder, which 

 becomes scattered over the healthy kernels." With this com- 

 munication were received : — " (1) Specimen of the compact form 

 of Barley-smut, gathered on the 15th of last July, at which time 

 the common Barley-smut had all disappeared from the field. 

 (2) Three samples of Barley, two of which are discoloured by the 

 smut, as may be shown by shaking them in water and examining 

 the washings. (3) A sample of healthy Barley from which no 

 spores could be washed." 



A vote of thanks was unanimously given to Dr. Plowright for 

 his interesting communications. 



Portugal Laurel with Defective Foliage. — Bev. W. Wilks 

 showed branches, one healthy for comparison, the other showing 

 a silvery appearance. It is a well-known case, and apparently 

 attributable to defective nutrition. The peculiarity resides in 

 the fact that the upper epidermis becomes detached, and the 

 presence of air gives the whitish appearance. The palisade 

 tissue also separates readily from the mesophyl, and its cells are 

 easily broken asunder. There is no trace of fungi or other 

 organism. Mr. Henslow observed that a tree in his garden 

 exhibited the same appearance and died. Its roots were found to 

 have penetrated pure gravel. 



Scientific Committee, April 13, 1897. 



Dr. M. T. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair. 



Mushroo?iis Baised from Spores. — With reference to this 

 subject, the following communication was received from Dr. 

 D. H. Scott : — " Mr. Massee, of Kew, has referred me to what 

 seems to be a thoroughly successful solution of the problem, 

 how to raise Mushrooms from spores. Two French authors, 

 Costantin and Matrachot, have raised five varieties true from 

 spores, carrying on their culture in sterilised food solutions, and 

 subsequently on sterilised manure. The whole development is 



