REPORT FOR 1887. 



Of the 3562 specimens contributed for the past year a very 

 large proportion were interesting, or at least well-preserved 

 plants. There were as usual some which the Distributor felt 

 obliged to put into the return parcels as padding, but which 

 members can only consign to the rubbish heap. The Club is 

 under a great obligation to the two highest contributors, Miss 

 Dawber and Mr. F. H. Ward, not only for their generosity, 

 which the Club resources are totally unable to repay, but for 

 the evident care bestowed on turning out beautiful and durable 

 specimens. The smaller contributors benefit the most largely 

 by this influx of wealth ; and will perhaps some day be equally 

 liberal to the Club, when the opportunity occurs. 



A few of the members (myself among the number) have given 

 a great deal of work to Professor Babington, as the following 

 pages testify ; and we are very grateful to him for his continued 

 good offices. To Mr. Arthur Bennett we are also equally 

 obliged, for so much valuable criticism and time spent on the 

 numerous and varied specimens submitted to him. 



Good work has been done among the Ruhi during 1887,. and 

 with gratifying results. As a rule, members requiring a Ruhus 

 criticised should send three good specimens, viz. : — one for the 

 Referee, one for the Writer of the Report, and one to return 

 (if required). The same with other critical genera. Batrachian 

 Ranunculi should have some ripe carpels on the specimens ; 

 the Salices should have mature foliage, of August or September, 

 accompanying the flower or fruit ; otherwise the Referee cannot 

 fairly be expected to give a satisfactory opinion. The few 

 specimens of these two genera sent in this year were deficient in 

 these respects. Salices are easily grown, and watched by those 

 who have gardens ; cuttings can be taken at any time of the year, 

 in case the tree or bush be far out of the way, — provided that 

 wood two or three years old be selected for the cutting. 



A slight alteration has again been made in Rule 3. The work 

 of the Distributor can be greatly facilitated by all the members 



