JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ January 22, 1891. 
with him in thanking Jlr. Yeitch for his kindness on that occasion, and 
for what he had done since. He had ever since his connection with the 
Institution taken the greatest possible interest in its welfare. He and 
his family bad subscribed no less a sum than £1520 to the funds of the 
Institution. He was now about to ask Mr. Yeitch to accept from a few 
friends “a thank-offeiing ” for his services in connection with the 
anniversary festival, and for the good he had done to the Institution. 
In presenting the testimonial to Mr. Yeitch, he expressed the hope that 
it would be a continuous reminder to him of his efforts on behalf of the 
Institution. The testimonial was that referred to in the earlier portion 
of this report, very handsomely mounted. 
Mr. Yeitch, who was received with loud cheers, responded in a brief 
but excellent speech, heartily thanking Mr. Sherwood and his friends 
for the testimonial and what had been said respecting his efforts. He 
remarked that he could add but little to the particulars given by the 
Chairman respecting the Institution, except to call attention to the fact 
that the expenses were very moderate, and this was chiefly due to their 
Secretary’s energy and clcse attention to business. It had afforded him 
(Mr. Yeitch) much pleasure to assist the Institution, and his best thanks 
were due to the Stewards who helped him so freely last year. He 
would like to see the number of annual subscribers increase considerably, 
as this would be an additional source of strength. (Cheers.) 
Mr. Sherwood next proceeded to the toast of the evening, “ The 
Health of the Secretary, Mr. E. K. Cutler,” and remarked that as Mr. 
Cutler had been elected Secretary of the Institution for the fiftieth time 
it was considered a fitting time to recognise his great services. A 
testimonial had therefore been set on foot for presentation to Mr. Cut’er 
that evening, and would consist of a purse of money. The subscriptions 
to the testimonial commenced at Is. Gd. and went up to £50, pretty good 
evidence of the number of friends w’hich their Secretary had, and the 
desire of everybody who knew anything about him to show an apprecia¬ 
tion of his work. The total subscriptions amounted to £G75 Os. 9d., 
and this sum the Chairman presented to Mr. Cutler amid prolonged 
cheers. Mr. Cutler replied in a short speech, expressing his great thanks 
for the kindness shown him on this occasion and throughout his term of 
office. Several other toasts followed, and then a programme of music 
and songs assisted in rendering the occasion a pleasant one. 
VARIEGATED FOLIAGE PLANTS. 
In your issue of last week (page 39 and 40) is an article upon the 
above, to which I wish to add a few remarks. It starts at this season of 
the year, and goes on to recommend C .ileus and Caladiuro. The former 
would not stand but a few hours, end the latter I have never seen fit 
for decorative work, or only occasionally the old Caladium argyrites in 
winter. Then, again, for a table p’ant Ananassa sativa variegata is 
mentioned, but it is very stiff and prickly, though it stands the gas well. 
Aspidistra variegata is mentioned aga'n as having stood the house work 
for two weeks, but I have in my possession gcod plan's without spot or 
blemish in lYinch pots, and have never been repotted, that have stood 
well, and have never been out of the rooms longer than to be cleaned 
and syringed for upjtards of three years. To the list of Aralias I 
should add A. Sieboldi variegata, one of the hardiest and best with 
grand noble foliage ; also A. reticulata and A. leptophylla. Useful 
varieties amongst Draemnas are termiualis stricta, gracilis, Fredericki, 
and hybrida. In the place of Caladiums there are some good foliage 
Begonias. Then I should prefer in place of these Arundo Donax variegata, 
Bambusa variegata. Cineraria maritima, Eurya latifolia variegata, 
Eulalia japonica variegata, Eulalia zebtina, with Phormium tenax varie- 
gatum and Colensoi for large hal's. There is a new variegated Dracaena, 
Doucetti indivisa variegata, a grand plant for house decoration. Five 
useful old plants also are Farfugium grande, Tussilago Farfara variegata, 
now seldom seen, though almost hardy ; Cyperus alternifolius varie- 
gatus must not be omitted. 
I will mention also that amongst the many well known foliage 
plants, although not variegated. Araucaria exceLa and its varieties are 
plants that stand well. I have some about 18 inches high furnished to 
the pots that have stood in my rooms for upwards of three years. They 
do not grow fast, and are capital for such wmrk ; ornamental green 
foliage plants are most numerous. I have some Kentias that have also 
stood the time mentioned, and are perfect in shape and health.— 
Rusticus. 
ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Scientific Committee.— Dr. Masters in the chair. Present : 
Mr. McLachlan, Mr. Pascoe, Mr. Michael, Mr. II. Yeitch, Prof. 
Marshall Ward, Prof. A. H. Church, Dr. Scott, Dr. Russell, Dr. F. 
Oliver, Dr. Bonavia. 
Culture of Yeast.— Vvoi. Marshall IVard announced that he had 
succeeded in confirming Flansen’s statement that yeast-cells, might be 
made to produce their endospores by cultivation on dry gelatine at a 
temperature of 25“ to 27° C. (say 80° F.). 
Proliferous Orajirjes. —Two specimens from Mr. Tharpe and Dr. J. 
Harvey Gibson respectively, were shown in which a second smaller 
Orange provided with its rind was enclosed within another. Dr. 
Bonavia, in commenting on these specimens, exp’ained his views that 
the rind of the Orange is really the representative of an outer abortive 
row of carpe’s, and that the oil-cells of the rind are the modified 
equivalents of the pulp-cells. 
Dr. Scott pointed out that, according to De Bary, the oil glands of 
Citrus were “ lysigenetic,” or the result of the breaking down of certain- 
transitory cells ; these cells are smaller than those of the rest of the 
leaf tissue and full of granular protoplasm, which is soon replaced by 
minute drops of ethereal oil. As the delicate partitions betw’een these 
cells break down and disappear the small oil globules coalesce, so as to- 
form one large drop. 
Dr. Masters referred to Camel’s explanation of the analogy between, 
the pulp cells and epidermal hairs. 
Dr. Bonavia further referred in support of his view’s to the disc or 
outgrowth from the axis which characterises the flowers of the Orange 
and its allies, as also of the Moutan Paeony and other plants. 
Professor Church commented on the development, in the absence of 
light, of the colouring matter as well as of the oily constituents as 
exemplified in these specimens. 
Dr. Masters did not consider that the disc had anything to do with 
the carpellary whorl, though it w’as true that A. P. de Candolle had con¬ 
sidered the rind of the Orange to arise from the development of the disc. 
An examination of the flower in the course of its development, and^ 
indeed, in the mature state, is sufficient to show that this explanation is 
not correct. The specimens on the table were instances of “ intra- 
carpellary prolification,” and the foimation of a second whorl of carpels, 
above and within the first. As the inner carpels had as perfect a rind 
as the outer ones, it was clear that the rind was neither a development 
of the disc, nor the representative of an outer and abortive row of 
carpels. 
Craching of Trees frovi Fro.^t. —From Mr. C. Noble came a charac¬ 
teristic drawing, showing the effect of frost in splitting the bark and 
young wood of the Spanish Chestnut. The fissure was longitudinal,, 
and of considerable length, and occurred on the north side of the 
tree. 
Plant Diseases. —A letter from Professor Sorauer was read, suggest¬ 
ing the desirability of co-operation on the part of the Committee with 
an Association lately inaugurated in Germany for the purpose- of 
studying the diseases of plants grown for agricultural purposes,, 
and of instituting conjoint action in the matter of prevention o? 
remedy. Professor Sorauer’s proposals received the sympathy of th& 
members present. 
M.\ny remember with pleasure the Orchid Conference and- 
Exhibition held at South Kensington by the Royal Horticultural* 
Society in 1886, and wishes have been frequently expressed that 
something of a simi'ar kind would be again attempted. Ample • 
evidence is forthcoming of the continued extension of Orchid culti¬ 
vation, and though the large and sensational collections do not 
become more numerous, the real value of Orchids is more generally 
recognised now than it was some years ago. Still, it is strange 
that so few exhibitions are specially devoted to these plants, for 
though many societies make provision for them, I am not aware 
of any attempts in this country to provide an Orchid Show, except 
that at South Kensington already referred to, and another on a 
smaller scale at Birmingham subsequently. At Manchester, at 
York, at the Regent’s Park, and at the Temple Show Orchids are^ 
important features, and are often admirably represented ; but still' 
there is not the same interest as would attach to a special Exhi-- 
bition. _ 
This subject has been brought to my notice by a schedule I have 
lately received from Heer .Ihr. L. J. Quarles Van Ufiord. Chairman, 
of the Committee of the Hague Department of the Netherlands 
Horticultural and Botanical Society. This contains the classes 
and regulations for an Orchid Show to be held at the Hague,. 
Thursday, May 28th, to Sunday, May Slst, this year. The twenty 
classes are in three divisions, the first for tender exotic Orchids, 
the second for hardy terresuial Orchids, and the third for cut 
flowers. Gold, silver-gilt, and silver medals are ofiered, and it 
might be expected that a remarkable Show will be provided, as the 
classes with one exception are open to all exhibitors. Besides 
classes for general collections of Orchids, there are others for 
Odontoglossums, Cypiipediums, Cattleyas, Lselias, and Vandas. 
The date will be a suitable one no doubt for Orchids generally, 
and as it follows the opening day of the Temple Show, many in¬ 
terested in Orchids in this country will take advantage of the 
opportunity to visit it. _ 
The display of Orchids at the last meeting of the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society was a surprise to most of the Fellows and visitorsy 
