CXC1V J^KUCLLDirxGb Ut THE koyal HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Scientific Committee, September 28, 1915. 



Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., F.L.S., F.E.S., in the Chair, with seven 

 members present, and Mrs. Lloyd Edwards, visitor. 



Saxijraga X Hausmannii var. ' Trevor.' — Mrs. Lloyd Edwards ex- 

 hibited a specimen of this hybrid Saxifrage which she had raised 

 by crossing S. mutata ¥ with 5. Aizoides atrorubens. It has an erect 

 raceme of flowers about 9 inches high, each flower being about half 

 an inch in diameter, with narrow orange-coloured petals. The leaves 

 form distinct rosettes. A Botanical Certificate was unanimously 

 recommended for this plant. 



Polygonum dumetorum. — Mr. J. Fraser showed specimens of P. 

 dunietorunt which he had collected at Woodham, Surrey, remarking 

 that it occurred in hedgerows as a rule, and soon disappeared, as 

 it germinated only where bare patches occurred. 



Salsola Tragus. — Dr. J. A. Voelcker showed this weed, which had 

 appeared in some fields of lucerne grown from American seed. It is 

 a native of Europe, and fairly widely distributed with cultivated 

 plants. 



Davidia involucrata. — Mr. E. A. Bowles showed fruit of Davidia 

 involucrata from a tree in Mr. Christie's garden at Framlingham Pigot, 

 Norfolk, in the open. It is not certain that the seeds were properly 

 formed. 



Potatos " blind." — Dr. A. S. Home reported that he had examined 

 the potatos from Mr. Cuthbertson and considered that the failure 

 to produce sprouts might be due to several causes : — 



(1) Some fungus operating in the field. Phytophthora infestans 

 itself may cause " blindness " through invasion and ultimate de- 

 struction of tissue at the eyes. Such tubers frequently escape attention 

 in sorting, and if stored, which very frequently happens, not only 

 carry over the fungus, but fail to germinate or produce weakly plants. 



(2) Cultural conditions. Improper conditions in the store, causing 

 deterioration of the tubers and rendering the eyes useless. This 

 would include overheating in pits after being lifted, the overheating 

 killing most of the eyes. 



(3) Attacks of fungi and bacteria owing to conditions of storage 

 unfavourable to the tuber. 



(4) Attacks of aphides. The eyes may be injured or destroyed, 

 or subsequently destroyed by fungi and bacteria in store. 



(5) Varietal causes — the so-called " won't grow " disease — e.g. in 

 the variety ' President. ' When grown at Wisley, many tubers, although 

 possessing apparently healthy eyes, failed to germinate, or germination 

 was greatly retarded in them (see R.H.S. Journal, vol. xxxix. 



p. 595). 



Judging by the condition of the specimens sent, the trouble in 



this case was probably due to either the second or third suggested 



cause. 



