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Proceedings of the Royal Society for the month of May, 1877

Royal Society of Tasmania 1877 , 'Proceedings of the Royal Society for the month of May, 1877' , Papers & Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of Tasmania , pp. 11-13 .

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Abstract

The monthly evening meeting of the Society was held on Monday, the
7th May.
His Excellency the Governor in the chair.
In reference to the monthly returns from the Gardens of "the
time of leafing, flowering, and fruiting of a few standard plants," His
Excellency remarked it would be interesting to notice if change of climate,
or soil, or other circumstances modified the habits of certain
English trees. From his own observation at the grounds about Government
House he could state that some trees which, in England, came
into leaf before others, here acted in an exactly reverse manner.
Discussion ensued, in which the Rev. W. W. Spicer, Sir Francis
Smith, Mr. Justice Dobson, Mr. Swan, Mr. Allport, and Mr. Abbott
took part; and on the whole, it appeared probable that varieties in exposure
or position might influence different trees variously as to their
leafing, etc. Mr. Abbott, however, engaged to obtain further and more
precise information on the subject, and bring it before a future meeting.
The Rev. W. W. Spicer read a paper on "Aliens," or plants
which have been introduced into the colony and naturalised. Illustrative
of the paper a collection of plants was laid on the table, embracing
all those referred to in the text. These, amounting to 140 specimens,
were collected, mounted and named by Mr. Spicer, and very liberally
presented by him to the Museum.
His Excellency informed the meeting he had written to England
for a supply of cuttings of the new fodder plant, the Prickly Comfrey.
It was probable this climate would suit it exactly, but that of England
appeared to be too cold, as it did not seed there, and therefore
cuttings were sent for. Its cultivation would be tried on the grounds
at Government House, and, if successful, seeds or cuttings would be
distributed throughout the colony.
Colonel Crawford saw the plant in cultivation at the Royal Agricultural
College at Cirencester in England many years ago, but it did not
seem at that time to be much thought of.
His Excellency thought that any discrepancies of this kind might
be explained by the fact that there were two species of the Comfrey.

Item Type: Article
Authors/Creators:Royal Society of Tasmania
Keywords: Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title: Papers & Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections: Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:

In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.

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