SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE, MARCH 14. 



xxxi 



petalous outgrowths at the throat, the flowers being otherwise normal. 

 The outgrowths were similar in structure to the petals, but only about 

 half the size and reversed, i.e. having the dark red surface opposed 

 to the dark red surface of the petals and the paler surface turned 

 towards the centre of the flower (and similar in colour to the outer 

 surface of the corolla). 



Green Primroses. — Mr. Fitt, of the Frythe Gardens, Welwyn, 

 showed a well-grown plant of the long-known Primrose with virescent 

 petals. In the present instance the petals showed rather more of the 

 leaf-like character than usual, the venation being very distinct. The 

 plant w^as found growing wild near Welwyn two years ago. 



Rhododendron grande. — Sir John Llewelyn showed flowers from 

 a seedling Rhododendron grande gathered in the open. The plant, 

 with others, had been raised from seed received from the late Sir 

 George King, from Calcutta, but had never before flowered, the 

 flower-buds having always previously been destroyed by frost. All 

 the other plants raised at the same time came into flower six weeks 

 later. The instance is interesting as a persistent and apparently con- 

 genital variation from the normal time of flowering, independent of 

 climatic conditions. Similar instances occur in other species of Rhodo- 

 dendron, particularly R. arboreum. ] 



Disease of Celery. — Mr. Chittenden commented upon the wide- 

 spread character of, and great loss occasioned by, the disease of Celery 

 due to the fungus Septoria petroselinii var. apii during the past year. 

 He drew attention to the fact that a considerable amount of Celery; 

 " seed " on the market, including samples grown in England and on^ 

 the Continent, showed the perithecia containing ripe spores of the 

 fungus. Klebahn has recently shown that the spores from affected 

 " seed " are capable of reproducing the disease, and as so much of 

 the seed seems likely to contain spores, the desirability of paying special 

 attention to Celery during the coming season is indicated. If the foli- . 

 ige shows the least sign of the disease by the development of small 

 Grown spots, the plants should be sprayed with potassium sulphide 

 Dr with Bordeaux mixture at once, the spraying being repeated if 

 lecessary. (See p. 115.) 



Certificates to plants of scientific interest. — Mr. Worsley brought 

 'orward a resolution upon the question of granting certificates to plants 

 ;hown before the Committee. The fact that the Botanical Certificate 

 lad (erroneously) come to be looked upon as an award to be made to 

 / plant of no decorative or commercial value was commented upon, 

 ^he actual intention of the Botanical Certificate was to encourage the 

 atroduction and cultivation of plants of intrinsic interest or of potential 

 alue, and it is, as stated in the " Book of Arrangements," intended to 

 '6 awarded to " Plants newly discovered or raised, and of botanical 

 iterest irrespective of decorative value." After further discussion, 

 sub-committee was re-appointed to select plants at each meeting 

 ^r the full Committee's consideration, the sub-committee consisting 

 f Messrs. J. T. Bennett-Poe, J. Dou las, 0. T. Druery, and A. 



