iv PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



elements, and the consequent pecuniary result. The best thanks 

 of the Society are due to all who so kindly brought their plants 

 for exhibition or otherwise contributed to the success of this Show. 



The Conference on Conifers, held at Chiswick on the 7th and 

 8th October, was most unfortunate in the weather experienced, 

 and in the consequent smallness of the attendance of Fellows. 

 In all other respects it was most successful, the papers read being 

 most valuable, and the exhibition of specimens such as has 

 certainly never been gathered together in one place before. The 

 Report on the Conference is being kept back in order that the 

 list of Conifers may be made quite complete, with their synonyms 

 and short descriptive notes, a work which entails an enormous 

 amount of labour and reference. It is hoped that the volume 

 may be ready in March. 



The Society's general work of Scientific experiment and 

 investigation, and of the practical trial of various plants, has 

 been going on steadily at Chiswick, under the superintendence 

 of Mr. Barron. Trial has been made of 117 varieties of Tomatos, 

 48 of Turnips, 31 of Celery, 33 of Leeks, 43 of Runner Beans, 

 and 49 of Dwarf French Beans. Ninety-seven new varieties of 

 Potatos and 72 new Peas have been tested. In the Floral 

 Department 225 varieties of Carnations, 50 of Picotees and 50 

 of Pinks, 300 Dahlias, 60 Ivy-leaved Pelargoniums, 59 Yiolas 

 and 74 Pansies, 15 different strains of China Asters, 116 

 Fuchsias, and 32 of Sweet Peas have been tried. A very large 

 collection of Perennial Asters (Michaelmas Daisies) and Sun- 

 flowers have been grown, and very carefully examined by a 

 Committee of experts, both in regard to their proper nomen- 

 clature and also their value as hardy border flowers. The 

 confusion found amongst them was so great and so widespread 

 -that it has been decided to withhold the Committee's Report 

 until the plants shall have flowered again, and the Committee's 

 decisions verified and confirmed. Experiments have also been 

 made with a Fruit Evaporator, kindly presented to the Gardens 

 by Messrs. Mayfarth, and most satisfactory and encouraging results 

 have been obtained in the drying of both Apples and Plums. 



The Society's Journal has been continued so as to enable 

 Fellows at a distance to enter more fully into and reap the 

 benefits of the study and work of those more actively engaged at 

 headquarters. Three parts, forming vol. xiii., 646 pages, with 

 C9 plates of new plants, &c, have been published during the 



