60 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
September 23, 1899. 
©leanings ftmn f lie IDaxilb 
of Science 
The Social Instinct in Protoplasts. — Sir 
Edward Fry still continues to advance curious facts 
about the Mycetozoa in Knowledge , and in the cur¬ 
rent issue he says:—“The life-history of all these 
Acrasieae presents many very curious points; it 
seems to briDg before us the fact that separate proto¬ 
plasts, without ever uniting into a plasmodium or 
ever becoming part of a single organism, may never¬ 
theless acquire as it were the social instinct and live 
for the good not of themselves but of the whole 
organism, and for that purpose may submit to a 
division of labour ; for whilst some of the protoplasts 
assume the function of only supporting their fellows, 
the others avail themselves of the support, raise 
themselves from the level of their original surface, 
and devote themselves to the function of reproduc¬ 
tion. And, moreover, certain aberrant and sessile 
forms of the Dictyostelium seem to show that this 
elevation of a portion of the protoplasm is not neces¬ 
sary to reproduction, though it may well be that the 
greater exposure to the ripening influences of the 
atmosphere and the sun may render it beneficial to 
the organism, and so more than compensate for the 
withdrawing from the function of reproduction of a 
certain part of the protoplasm, and applying it to 
the purposes of support alone.' 1 
At a meeting of the Royal Horticultural Society on 
the 15th August, the subject of “ Grafted Potatos” 
was the only important subject discussed. 
Grafted Potatos.—Mr. A. W. Sutton sent up to 
the Royal Horticultural Society on the above date 
some specimens of the haulm and tubers of various 
Potatos upon which he had been experimenting. 
Unfortunately, the Scientific Committee was not 
sitting, but the specimens were examined, and the 
following notes are placed on record. It will be 
remembered that Mr. Sutton, on January 31st, 1893, 
exhibited numerous tubers, the character of which 
appeared to have been modified in consequence of 
the plants from which they were grown having been 
grafted with Tomatos, &c. The plants now ex¬ 
hibited show that the modifications alluded to were 
not confined to the tubers alone, but were noticeable 
in the plants generally, and that there had been no 
reversion to the original form. The specimens 
exhibited were the following :— 
No. 1.— Potato " Victoria,” typical plant, showing 
normal growth and produce. 
No. 2.—Plant grown from tubers which were the 
result of grafting, iu 1895, Tomato “ Maincrop 11 on 
Potato " Victoria." Each year since 1895 a crop 
has been grown and tubers saved (resulting from this 
graft). 
Notes.— All the plants in this row are alike, but 
the growth is only about one-third the height of 
No. 1, and the tubers few and small. [Haulm 
much dwarfed and produce diminished, form of leaf 
not altered ] 
No. 3. — A similar experiment to last, except that 
in 1895 another variety of Tomato, viz., Sutton's 
" Perfection,” was grafted on to " Victoria" 
Potato. 
Notes— All the plants in this trial are also very 
uniform, exactly corresponding with one another, 
but they are rather stronger than No. 2, and more 
bushy, and yet quite distinct from No. 1. N.B. — 
No. 3 is the produce of one set only. 
No. 4.— A similar experiment to Nos. 2 and 3, but 
in this case, instead of a Tomato, the common 
garden weed, Solanum nigrum, which produces 
seed-berries so plentifully, was grafted on the Potato 
*' Victoria,” in 1895 
Notes. —The plants in this row correspond more 
nearly to those in No. 1, but whereas in neither No. 
1, 2, nor 3, are there any seed-bearers, in this row 
(No. 4) the plants produce seed-bearers abundantly. 
Three plants of No. 4 are sent to show its seed¬ 
bearing tendency. N.B. —It will be seen that the 
tubers vary little, if at all, from those of No. 1 (this 
was the case also when shown in January last).— 
A. W. S. 
[Victoria foliage unaltered ; haulms bear numerous 
berries of the size of marbles.— Ed.] 
A very similar experiment was made in 1895 with 
another Potato, Sutton's “ Supreme,” the character 
and constitution of which appear to have been 
modified by Tomato-grafts, just in the same way as 
Victoria Potato was. 
No. 5 — Typical plant of Polato “Supreme.” 
No. 6 .— Plant grown from tubers which were the 
result of grafting, in 1895, Tomato “ Ham Green 
Favourite” on Potato "Supreme.” Each year 
since 1895 a crop has been grown and tubers saved 
(resulting from this graft), as in the case of plants 
Nos. 2 and 3. 
It will be seen that here also the plants are much 
dwarfer, though the tubers do not differ much 
[except in their smaller size]. 
Axillary Tubers. — No. 7. — An interesting experi¬ 
ment was made in 1895 as follows:—Tomato 
“ Earliest-of-All ” was grafted with Potato “ Wood- 
stock Kidney.” The Potato foliage produced 
axillary tubers, nourished, of course, by the Tomato 
roots. The axillary tubers were planted, and a crop 
has since been grcwn annually. No. 7 represents 
the ordinary plant of Potato “ Woodstock Kidney.” 
No. 8 represents the plants grown from the axillary 
tubers of 1895, and successive years. 
Notes.— Perhaps No. 8 is stronger, and taller, and 
more upright in growth, but there is no very marked 
difference between the two as regards foliage; the 
tubers of No. 8, however, are very poor in every 
way, and very few in number [and the quantity of 
fibrous roots relatively large],— A. W. S. 
-- 
SOCIETIES. 
ROYAL CALEDONIAN HORTICULTURAL.— 
September 13th and 
Many of the exhibits bad to be omitted from our 
telegram of last week, and the principal ones are here 
given. As already stated in last week’s issue, the 
entries for Apples were very numerous; but a large 
number of s ngle dishes have again to be omitted for 
considerations of space. Several classes were insti¬ 
tuted for amateurs, and these were well represented. 
The show, on the whole, was a very fine one, some 
classes being less well-filled than last year, but 
others were better, and the quality was admitted to 
be superior. With the exception of light showers 
during the first day, the weather was altogether 
propitious for the show. 
Plants. —Tuberous Begonias were plentiful, 
and in many cases well flowered. The first 
prize for six single varieties was taken by Mr. 
W. Galloway, gardener to J. H. _ Ford Esq., 
Liberton. Mr. Wm. Aitken, Balerno, was 
second. Mr. W. Galloway again took the lead for 
three single Begonias. Mr. R. Ballantyne, gardener 
to Mrs. F. A. Mathieson, Coulter Maynes, Biggar, 
took the lead for three double Begonias, Mr. W. 
Galloway being second in this case. Mr. R. 
Ballantyne took several other prizes for Begonias. 
Vallotas were in strong force, Mr. Wm. Aitken 
taking the first prize in one case; and Mr. W. 
Gourlay, gardener to A. T. Williamson, Esq., 
Blairesk Hall, Loanhead, was first in another. Mr. 
J. Tweedie, gardener to J. B. Wingate Esq , Biggar 
Park, Biggar, had a first for Begonias. Mr. R. 
Watson, Carluke, was first for Cockscombs. Mr. J. 
Macgregor, gardener to Sir T. D. Gibson Car¬ 
michael, Bart., Castlecraig, Dolphinton, took the 
lead for Hydrangeas. Mr. Geo. McKinna, gardener 
to Sir John Usher, Bart., Norton, Ratho, was first 
for Petunias. Mr. G. Wood, gardener to J. 
Buchanan, Esq , Oswald House, Edinburgh, was 
first for a specimen Palm. 
Mr. J. H. Pearson, gardener to P. N. Fraser, Esq., 
Rockville, Murrayfield, was accorded the first prize 
for four exotic Ferns, which were of large size. 
Mr. Jas. McCartney, gardener to David A. Croll, 
Esq, Liberton, was second; and Mr. G. Wood 
came in third. The first prize for four Adiantums 
was taken by Mr. T. Lunt, with huge specimens. 
Mr. J. H. Pearson was second ; and Mr. G. Wood 
came in third. Mr. Thos. Gibb, gardener to Mrs. 
Edmonton, Redacre, Kilgraston Road, had the best 
six Lycopods. Mr. W. Sharpe, gardener to C. L. 
Wood, Esq., Freeland, Forgandenny, had the best 
four Orchids, and was followed by Mr. Francis 
Nicoll, gardener to T. Roy, Esq., Perth. Mr. W. 
Sharp had the best single specimen Orchid, and the 
best three, being followed in the last case by Mr J. 
Mitchell, gardener to J. Wilson, Esq., Bantaskin, 
Falkirk. Mr. J. McLaren, gardener to D. Mitchell, 
Esq., Polmont, had the best Coleuses, and was 
followed by Mr. D. Matheson, gardener to T. G. 
Rose-Innes, Esq., Kinellan, Murrayfield. 
Mr. W. Anderson, gardener to Col. Sir David 
Davidson, K.C.B., Woodcroft, Clinton Road, showed 
the best nine dwarf British Ferns. Very fine was 
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris imbricatum. Mr. J. H. 
Pearson took the second award. Mr. J. Bethel, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Walker, Westwood, Newport, had the 
best four British Ferns, showing amongst others a 
specimen of Polystichum angulare plumosum Grim- 
mondii, about 6 ft. through, and in grand form. 
Mr. T. Lunt was first for Crotons, showing 
specimens of huge size. Mr. Jas. McCartney was a 
a good second. Mr. G. Wood took the lead for Cal- 
adiums ; and Mr. Adam Knight, gardener to Peter 
Wordie, Esq., Kenzie, had the best Dracaenas 
Plants (Nurserymen only). —The first prize for 
six new plants was awarded to Mr. John Downie, 
Beechhill Nurseries, Murrayfield. He also took the 
lead for twelve table plants, which were in fine con¬ 
dition. The leading award for six table plants was 
taken by Mr. M. McIntyre, gardener to Sir Chas. 
Tennant, Bart., The Glen, N.B. Messrs. James 
Dickson & Sons, Edinburgh, took the leading award 
for twelve hardy Conifers, showing large specimens 
in tubs. Mr. John Downie was second with smaller 
plants. He took the lead, however, for twenty-four 
hardy evergreen shrubs, which were dwarf and in 
fine form. Messrs. James Dickson & Sons were 
second. 
Cut Flowers. —Prizes were offered for table de¬ 
coration, and the first prize was taken by Mrs. 
Martin, 28, Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, with a light 
and graceful arrangement. Mrs. B. J DuncaD, 
Fogo, Duns, was second. The first prize for 
eleven spikes of Hollyhocks was taken by Mr. John 
Forbes, Hawick, who had well-flowered specimens. 
Messrs. M. Campbell & Son, Higt Blantyre, took 
the second award. Mr. John Downie took the lead 
for eighteen bunches of single Dahlias, which were 
very attractive. Messrs. M. Campbell & Son were 
second. They came to the front for twelve Carna¬ 
tions. Mr. John Forbes was first for Picotees. 
The first prize for thirty Gladioli was secured by 
Mr. George Mair, Prestwick. Mr. Alex. E. Camp¬ 
bell, Gourock, and Messrs. Harkness & Sons, Bsdale, 
followed in this order. Mr. Jas. W. Carnegie, gar¬ 
dener to M. Smith, Esq , Roselea, Prestwick, was 
first for six Gladioli, and also for twelve. Mr. Wm. 
Angus, gardener to Jas. Ogston, Esq.. Norwood, 
Aberdeen, took the lead for twelve bunches of Sweet 
Peas, his stands being filled with very fine varieties 
in first-class order, including his double British 
Queen, certificated last year. Mr. J. Oliver, gardener 
to the Earl of Ravensworth, Esliugton, Whitting- 
ham, was a good second. Messrs. D. & W. Croll, 
Dundee, took the lead for thirty-six blooms of Roses, 
which were very fine indeed. Messrs. Thos. Smith 
& Sons, Stranraer, were second. The same order 
was maintained for eighteen Roses and for twelve 
Roses. In the class for twenty-four Tea Roses 
Messrs. D. & W. Croll led the way, followed by 
Messrs. Adam & Craigmile, Fernielea, Rubislaw, 
Aberdeen. Messrs. D. & W. Croll were first for 
twelve vases of Roses, Messrs. Thos. Smith & Sons 
being second. This order was reversed for twelve 
scarlet Roses. Messrs. D. & W. Croll had the best 
pink Roses, followed by Messrs. W. & R. Ferguson, 
Dunfermline; but for white Roses they were followed 
by Messrs. Thos. Smith & Sons. Mr. John Smellie, 
Pansy Gardens, Busby, N. B.,had the best eighteen 
bunches of Cactus Dahlias. Messrs. M. Campbell 
& Son were second, and Messrs. A. Lister & Sod, 
Rothesay, third. 
Fruit. —Mr. T. Lunt had the best single bunch of 
Muscat of Alexandria Grape. Mr. Jas. Mattison, 
gardener to Messrs. Craigs, Curriehill, had the best 
bunch of Black Hamburgh. Messrs. D. & W. 
Buchanan, Forth Vineyards, Kippen, took the lead 
for one Alicante, and likewise for Alnwick Seedling. 
Mr. J. Beisant, gardener to Mrs. Armitstead, Castle 
Huntly, Longforgan, took the lead for one Gros 
Colman, which was grand in bunch and berry. Mr. 
Jas. Anderson, gardener to the Trustees of the late 
W. C. Black, Esq., Hailzie House, Peebles, had the 
best Lady Downs. Mr. J. Paterson, Bennochy 
ViDeries, Kirkcaldy, was first for one bunch black, 
showing Cooper’s Black. Mr. John Potter, gardener 
to W. Parkin-Moore, Esq., Whitehall, Wigton, had 
the best white. Mr. D. Murray, gardener to the 
Marquis of Ailsa, Culzean Castle, Maybole, had the 
finest flavoured black, Mr. T. Lunt the finest 
flavoured white, the black for finest bloom. 
