SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, JUNE 7. 



CXV 



4. P. pulverulenta $ x P. x * Unique <^ = an unnamed form 

 approaching P. pulverulenta in colour, but of a shade intermediate 

 between its two parents. 



5. P. X ' Excelsior ' $ x No. 4 <? an unnamed seedling almost 

 exactly like P. x * Unique,' and as its history shows, the result of com- 

 bining P. pulve'rulenta and P. Cockhurniana in equal proportions. 



6. P. X ' Excelsior ' ? x P. Cockhurniana ^ = an unnamed seed- 

 ling almost identical with P. Cockhurniana, but whether perennial or 

 not has not yet been ascertained. 



Cheiranthus hyhrid. — Mr. J. S. Arkwright, D.L., M.P., of Lyons- 

 hall, Herefordshire, sent a hybrid between Cheiranthus Allionii ? and C. 

 alpinu^. Five or six flowers had been crossed by him in 1908, but only 

 one pod, and from that only one plant, had been obtained. The plant 

 was very vigorous, being bushy, and measuring about 18 inches 

 through ; it had been flowering for a month. The flowers were bright 

 orange, but not so deep as those of C. Allionii. In the bud they were 

 dark purple, like those of C. alpinus, contrasting markedly with the 

 orange-coloured flower. The plant was shown under the name C. x 

 Arkwrightii. It may be increased readily by cuttings. 



Crocus sativus. — In reply to a request for information regarding 

 the cultivation of the Saffron Crocus, Mr. A. W. Hill, M.A., sent the 

 following report: — 



The Saffron Crocus is said to have been introduced into England 

 during the reign of Edward III. (a.d. 1327-1377). Two centuries later 

 English Saffron was even exported to the Contment, for in a priced list 

 of the spices sold by apothecaries of the north of France, a.d. 1565- 

 1570, mention is made of three sorts of Saffron, of which ' Safren 

 d'Engleterre ' is the most valuable. It was evidently produced in con- 

 siderable quantities, for in 1682 we find in the tariff of the Apotheke, 

 of Celle, Hanover, Crocus austriacus optimus, and Crocus communis 

 anglicus. 



In the beginning of the eighteenth century (1723-28), the cultiva- 

 tion of Saffron was carried on in what is described by a contemporary 

 writer as " all that large tract of ground that lies between Saffron 

 Walden and Cambridge, in a circle of about ten miles diameter." The 

 same writer remarks that Saffron was formerly grown in several other 

 counties of Eagland. The cultivation of the Crocus about Saffron 

 Walden, which was in full activity in 1594, had ceased in 1768, and 

 about Cambridge at nearly the same time. Yet it must have lingered 

 in a few localities, for in the early part of the nineteenth century a 

 little English Saffron was still brought every year from Cambridge- 

 shire to London, and sold as a choice drug to those who were willing 

 to pay for it. 



At the present day this product is chiefly produced in Spain, the 

 commercial variety distinguished as Best Valencia reahzing from 42s. 

 to 42s. e>d. per lb. (April 23 last). 



According to the latest reports from Spain, supplies are difficult 

 to obtain, and as a large proportion of the bulbs have been destroyed 



