Ixxviii PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
into petals more or less perfectly. Tlie true form of Begonia 
is recognised in staminate flowers with four petals, and in 
pistillate flowers with five, though this is by no means constant. 
Tuberous Begonias were best raised from seed sown early in 
the year; the seedlings w T ould with care he flowering in the 
month of June or July, and would continue in bloom well on 
into the cold weather. If grown in the open border they should 
be lifted in September and transferred to pots, where they will 
continue to bloom indoors. A few varieties have been known 
to retain their vitality out of doors all the winter. The tubers 
are very small, and being just the color of the earth are very 
likely to be lost. The soil that suits them best is a light, friable 
sandy loam ; they are impatient of damp, but will stand heavy 
rain and powerful sunshine better than Scarlet Pelargoniums. 
He believed that the popularity of this charming genus would 
greatly increase when its useful and ornamental qualities 
become better known. 
FLOEAL COMMITTEE. 
Medals Awarded. —Small Cold Banksian Medals to Messrs. 
J. Yeitch and Sons, for their group of plants; to Messrs. J. Laing 
and Co., for group of Begonias; to Messrs. Kelway and Sons, 
for collection of Gladioli. Silver Banksian Medals to Mr. B. S. 
Williams and Messrs. Hooper and Co., for their groups of plants. 
First-class Certificates were awarded to Messrs. J. Laing and 
Co., for Begonia 11 Mrs. Dr. Todd") to Messrs. Kelway and Co., 
for Gladioli “ Herois ,” “ Gorgonius ,” and “ Telamon" ; and to 
Begonia “ Chiswick Blush," raised at the Society’s gardens at 
Chiswick. Botanical Commendations were awarded to u Torrenia 
Bailloni," from Messrs. J. Yeitch and Sons, and to “ Dendrobium 
D'Albertisii" from Mr. B. S. Williams. A vote of thanks was 
accorded to Mr. H. Cannell for cut blooms of Pelargoniums and 
Yerbenas. 
FEUIT COMMITTEE. 
Medal Awarded. —Silver Knightian to Mr. S. Ford (gardener 
to W. E. Hubbard, Esq.), for collection of Potatos. 
Cultural Commendation to Mr. W. Thomson, of Clovenfords, 
for a remarkable bunch of “ Duke of Buccleuch " Grape ; also 
