Cl PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Scientific Committee, October 23, 1894. 

 Dr. M. T. Masters in the Chair, and three members present. 



Coniferce. — Dr. Masters exhibited a series of cones and branches 

 of various trees received from the late Conference. They included 

 very fine specimens of the cones of Abies cephalonica, A. mag- 

 nifica, Cedrus Deodara, which rarely fruits in this country, Abies 

 Nordmanniana, Abies Veitchii, remarkable for developing the 

 bracts under cultivation, Abies ajanensis, and Pinus Pindrow. 

 There was also a portion of a side branch of a fine plant of Thuja 

 gigantea, nearly four inches in diameter, to show the grain of the 

 wood. The tree itself was twenty-five years old, 58 feet high, 

 and measured at 3 feet from the ground 4 feet 6 inches in 

 circumference, or about 18 inches in diameter. It was 

 suggested by Dr. Masters that this tree might form a good 

 substitute for the Larch, which appears to be dying out in many 

 places. The specimens were grown in the gardens of the Mar- 

 quis of Huntly by Mr. Harding, in those of Viscount Powers- 

 court by Mr. Crombie, and of Sir P. Murray by Mr. Croucher. 



Chionodoxa Bulbs attacked by Aphis. — Mr. McLachlan 

 exhibited some bulbs which had a shrivelled appearance. He 

 observed that he had received specimens from two different 

 sources. On examination there proved to be numerous aphides 

 beneath the outer skin of the bulb. It was named A. subterranea, 

 and had not been known before to attack bulbs, though it infests 

 the roots of many plants, to which it does not prove very injurious 

 in this country. It is said to do much harm in France. The 

 aphis, therefore, had probably got to the bulbs from some other 

 fibrous-rooted plant. He regarded the attacks as being serious, 

 because the aphis was protected by the skin of the bulb from 

 insecticides. He suggested the removal of the skin when the 

 bulb was first lifted, and a thorough examination be made. He 

 thought that perhaps if the ground were treated with bisulphide 

 of carbon it might prove effective. It was also suggested that a 

 trial might be made of putting the bulbs under cover, and sub- 

 mitting them to the fumes of tobacco, or where spirits of turpen- 

 tine could evaporate. Examination should be made to see the 

 bulbs themselves were not injured by the process. Of course, all 

 old skins should be burnt. 



