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

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posted on 2023-11-22, 08:00 authored by Royal Society of Tasmania
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.

History

Publication title

Papers & Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of Tasmania

Pagination

11-13

Rights statement

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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