CCVlll PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
4. As regards the Floral Department, some new houses have been completed, 
and others efficiently repaired., so that the Superintendent has now better 
accommodation than formerly for growing flowering plants, the chief demand 
for which is to aid in the decoration of the conservatory at Kensington 
throughout the year. With this latter object in view, various additions have 
been made to the collections of stove‘and greenhouse plants. 
5. During the past year, 5,371 plants have been grown for distribution to 
the Fellows by ballot, and 125,512 packets of vegetable and flower seeds have 
been also made up and distributed; besides 1,714 plants and 12,512 packets 
of seeds which have been sent out to the various Societies in union. 
6. The provision of materials for the decoration of the garden at South 
Kensington has been greatly extended, and has correspondingly increased the 
expenditure at this establishment, both as regards labour and glass accommo¬ 
dation. Xo less than 45,227 plants thus reared have been contributed by 
Chiswick for this purpose during the present year. 
7. In addition to the plants referred to in the foregoing paragraphs, 927 
varieties of plants, old and new, such as pelargoniums, verbenas, tropseolums, 
calceolarias, &c. have been grown for judicial examination by the Floral 
Committee. The groups of the older kinds, grown as standards for comparison, 
were very attractive in their season ; but the newer varieties have been less 
successful, owing chiefly to two causes—the late date and weakly condition in 
which, in too many cases, the plants are received, and the unpropitious 
weather of the past summer. It is hoped that in future the plants may be 
obtained earlier in the season, in better condition, and that more extended and 
useful results may be obtained. 
8. Attention has been given to Hybridising, and the rearing of novelties for 
the use of the Fellows; and the Directors are highly gratified to be able to 
report that 31. Bause, the foreman of the Floral Department, has won for him¬ 
self the credit of having produced an entirely new race of golden-leaved cala- 
diums. A very large number of hybridised caladiums has been reared, showing 
great variety in the colouring and marking of the leaves, and including 
amongst them several highly ornamental novelties ; but the production of the 
golden-leaved forms (which include some three or four distinct variations) has 
been the most marked instance of success. Besides these, some promising 
variegated zonal pelargoniums have been obtained; as well as a crop of 
hybridised forms of coleus, and of some other plants, which, however, are not 
as yet sufficiently developed to show whether any improvement has been 
gained. 
9. Sympathising heartily with the expressions of regret which are frequently 
heard as to the neglect into which hardy herbaceous perennials have been 
allowed to fall, to the curtailment of the beauty and interest of English flower 
gardens, the Directors have set about the formation of a collection of these 
plants, with the view to revive the taste for them, by facilitating the selection 
of those best adapted for particular seasons and particular situations. To 
this end, they hope to secure examples of all the more ornamental and really 
interesting species. As plants of this character are frequently preserved in 
country gardens after they disappear from general cultivation, and thus become 
difficult of access, the Directors trust that the Council will urge upon any 
Fellows of the Society who may possess uncommon and attractive species the 
advisability of adding to the Chiswick collection by contributing plants or 
seeds of any such which they can spare. The Directors anticipate that much 
interest will be excited by this collection, and that it may induce many Fellows 
to introduce into these Gardens that- much-maligned institution, 4i the mixed 
border,” from which, however, they feel satisfied that a large amount of interest 
may be derived by the lovers of flowers. 
10. A collection of subtropical plants has been brought together, and during 
summer forms a very interesting feature along one of the principal walks in 
the garden. 
11. In the Pomological Department, the Board have to report that, by the 
removal of the house from South Kensington to Chiswick last spring, the 
