SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, OCTOBER 12. 



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Thomas, Mrs. W. F. Thomas, H. J. Griffin, Major Weller, 

 William Whitaker- Standing, E. Money Wigram. 



A lecture on " Sporting in Chrysanthemums " was given by 

 the Rev. Professor Henslow, M.A., V.M.H. (See p. 537). 



SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE. 



October 12. 



Dr. Masters, F.R.S., in the Chair, and four members present. 



Acorn Cups malformed. — Mr. French, of Felstead, sent spe- 

 cimens of this not uncommon phenomenon. It appears to be 

 due to an arrest of the flower, probably by some insect attack, 

 when the scales of the cup become enlarged and free, as in the 

 Artichoke gall. 



Melons with new Disease. — Specimens were received from 

 Mr. J. Fraser Smith, of The Gardens, Cullen House. N.B., who 

 writes as follows : — " The disease attacked my crop last year, and 

 has again this, in both a sudden and deadly manner. An entire 

 crop of twenty plants has perished in a few days. The disease 

 first shows a spot on the leaf, then a part of the stem gets 

 affected, and in two or three days the whole plant collapses. It 

 is only at a certain time of the year, for the first crop in both 

 years, which was grown in the same house, finished without any 

 signs of it, i.e. about the early part of August ; while the second 

 crop, about half-grown on the opposite side of the path, has all 

 gone, as also a later batch planted on the same side as the first 

 ones. Out of thirteen plants ten went off in one day. Two 

 young Cucumber plants have also died in the same way, after 

 they were four feet high." The following report has been 

 received from Kew : — " The Melon disease is caused by Scoleco- 

 trichum melophthorum, Prill., a parasitic fungus. The disease 

 is common in France, but I am not aware of its having pre- 

 viously been observed in Britain. Burn all diseased plants, as if 

 they be allowed to rot on the ground a recurrence of the disease 

 would be almost certain next season. Under any circumstances 

 it would be advisable not to use the same ground for Melon- 

 growing for at least two years, as the fungus spores are probably 

 abundant in the soil." 



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