CXVi PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



by drought, the outlook for the next crop is serious. A considerable 

 quantity of Saffron is annually produced in Persia, but little or none 

 of this finds its way into European commerce. 



Scientific Committee, June 21, 1910. 

 J. T. Bennett-Poe, Esq. , M. A. , in the Chair, and nine members present. 



Fungus on roof. — It was reported that the fungus shown at the last 

 meeting from the roof of Chelsea Church was Coprimis radians. 



Saxifraga umhrosa. — Mr. J. Eraser, F.L.S., showed seedlings of a 

 compact form of Saxifraga umhrosa with prettily-spotted flowers, differ- 

 ing from the type in stature and in the closeness of the rosettes. The 

 seedlings came true in habit, but showed some variation in the spotting 

 of the flowers. 



Cross-hred Pinks. — Mr. Douglas, V.M.H., showed a large number 

 of flowers of seedlings, the result of crossing the ordinary white form 

 with the pink called ' Eubican. ' The seedlings showed in a marked 

 manner the influence of the latter, and some very beautiful forms were 

 among them ; 10 to 12 per cent, of the seedlings bore single flowers, and 

 no fringed flowers were among the singles. 



Coloration of Sweet Pea tendrils, &c. — Mr. Cuthbertson showed 

 Sweet Pea growths in flower for the purpose of showing that the 

 coloration of the tendrils and axils cannot in every case be accepted 

 as one of the guides to purity of stock. The variety ' Mrs. Hugh 

 Dickson " gives both green and coloured tendrils and axils. The old 

 variety, ' Lady G. Hamilton,' behaves in a similar way. Mr. Ireland, 

 Messrs. Debbie's Sweet Pea grower, says that seed saved from a green- 

 tendrilled plant gives, when grown, both colours in the first generation. 

 It was at one time thought that the presence or absence of colour in 

 the axils and tendrils of Sweet Peas might serve to enable roguing " 

 to be done at an early stage, but although this is frequently true it is 

 evident that this unit character would have to be selected and bred for 

 like any other before it would prove a trustworthy guide. 



Scientific Committee, July 19, 1910. 



Mr. E. A. Bowles, M.A., F.L.S., E.E.S., in the Chair, and eight 



members present. 



Saxifraga tellimoides. — Mr. Eraser, F.L.S., showed a plant of 

 S. t£,ymt!?^des and commented upon its peculiarities. It is a native 

 of ja/ed-i, and has affinities with the American S. peltata and with 

 S. Jamesii, which is also American, but it agrees with none of the 

 recognized sections completely. It is perhaps nearest the section 

 Isomeria, but differs in the peltate leaves. This species was discovered 

 by Maries in 1880, first flowered in this country in 1885, fertile seed 



