THE AMERICAN BOTANIST X] 



establish a new genus or species. If the ecologists were not 

 attending to more weighty matters, they would make so many 

 reductions in specific names as to give the name-tinkers a 

 shock from which they v/ould never recover. Some day this 

 is sure to happen. We stop here just long enough to point out 

 that fact. 



Traiung Arbutus Bush. — In many parts of the United 

 States where the trailing arbutus (Bpigaca repens) does not 

 grow, a fairly good substitute is found in the trailing abutus 

 shrub (Abelia grandiflora.) The substitute lacks the fra- 

 grance of the original and the charm that the arbutus derives 

 from being one of the firstlings of the year, but it makes up 

 for tnese defects in a way, by blooming generously nearly the 

 entire season and by producing flowers rather larger than its 

 prototype. Abelia grandifiora is a member of the Capri- 

 foliaceae with elliptic, shining leaves that are evergreen in 

 mild regions. It is regarded as doubtfully hardy, north of 

 Washington, D. C, but it has withstood temperatures m(;re 

 than twenty degrees below zero in the editor's grounds. In 

 severe seasons, its leaves and even its branches may be killed, 

 but it comes up cheerfully from the underground parts and by 

 July, is well covered with blossoms. 



PuDDi^iNG THK Soil. — Amateur writers on gardening, 

 frequently show, by most amusing misconceptions, how small 

 is the stock of knowledge they possess on the subject chosen 

 for elucidation. One that has appeared in several books re- 

 cently is found in connection with' the use of the word puddling 

 as applied to soils. A puddled soil is one that has been worked 

 when so wet that the soil crumbs have been broken up. In 

 making bricks and pottery, the clay must be puddled for the 

 very purpose of breaking up the soil crumbs and artificial 

 ponds may be made to hold water, by covering the bottom with 

 a layer of puddled clay, but a puddled soil is another matter. 



