HOETICITLTURE. 49 



addition to increasino; the size and hastening the development of the blooms, it 

 was noticed that the leaves above the rings were larger and greener. From the 

 results obtained it is believed by the author "that there is a valuable field for experi- 

 ment by the florist in the ringing of the chrysanthemum and such other plants as 

 are discarded after flowering." 



The origin and development of the cactus dahlia, C. G. Wyatt {Jour. Roy. 

 Ilorl. Soc. [Loiulou], 26 {1901), No. 3-3, pp. 4'>7-477, .%.s. C).— The cactus dahlia 

 {Dalilidjuarczii) is stated to have been introduced into Holland from Mexico in 1872. 

 The author does not believe that the D. jndrezii is wholly resi)onsil)le for the cactus 

 dahlia of the pi-esent day. 



A new race of hybrid alpine irises, ^X. J. Caparne {Gard. Chron., 3. so:, 30 

 {1901), No. 779, p. 397). — This race has resulted from hybridizing the dwarf bearded 

 iris with many alpine and subalpine species. They blossom early and are suitable 

 for exposed windy positions as well as elsewhi^re, and for forcing. The leaves are 3 

 or 4 in. long at flowering time and afterwards are prolonged 6 or 8 in. and \ to 1 

 in. wide. The flowers are borne on stiff succulent stalks 4 to 8 in. tall and are 

 quite large, resembling in shape the German iris. The colors range from jiure white 

 to crimson, yellow, and blue. 



On the cultivation of Oncocyclus irises, H. Ewbank {Jour. Roy. IIorL Soc. 

 [London], 26 {1901), No. 2-3, pp. 314-323, Jigs. .5).— The author has found that lime 

 is an absolute necessity in the successful culture of these irises. Other cultural 

 requirements are a sunshiny situation, overhead shelter in summer months, perfect 

 drainage. Arm planting, the rhizomes slightly covered — suflScient to protect them 

 from frost, and the borders should l)e kept free from weeds or anything that obstructs 

 the light. 



On some experiments in the cultivation of Oncocyclus irises, J. Hooc; {Jour. 

 Roy. Hort. Soc. [London], 2G {1901), No. 2-3, pp. 324-326, fig. 1) . — An analysis is given 

 of the soils in which Oncocyclus irises grow wild and of Dutch bull) garden soil. The 

 soil in which the irises grew naturally contained 155.8 gm. of lime, 49.56 gm. of mag- 

 nesia, 30.78 gm. of oxid of iron, and 7.58 gm. of alum, in each kilogram of soil; while 

 the Dutch bull) soil contained but 1.84 gm. of lime, 0.52 gm. of magnesia, 5.24 gm. 

 of oxid of iron, and only a trace of alum in a kilogram of soil. The much larger 

 quantity of lime, magnesia, etc., in the soils in which the irises grow wild sug- 

 gested a reason for the partial failure of these plants in Dutch bulb soil. Experi- 

 ments were therefore undertaken in which increasing amounts of lime and magnesia 

 were added to the bulb garden soils. It was found that when 20 kg. of marl and 9 

 of magnesite were added to a bed of soil 8 yds. long by 1 in width, the irises grew 

 luxuriantly, and the secret of their culture is, therefore, thought to be solved for the 

 soils in question. 



Forcing lilac fl.owers, F. van Driessche {Rev. Ilort. Beige, 27 {1901), p. 228; 

 aba. in Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc. [London], 26 {1901), No. 2-3, p. 559). — Lilac blossoms 

 were obtained in August by removing all the leaves of the shoots soon after the 

 flower buds formed in July. 



Official report of the Conference on Lilies {Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc. [Londoti], 26 

 {1901), No. 2-3, j)p- 332-427, figs. 52). — Herewith is contained an account of the 

 Conference on Lilies, held at Chiswick July 16, 1901, and of the papers presented on 

 that occasion. The titles and authors of these are as follows: Descriptions of the 

 New Species and Principal Varieties of Lily Discovered since the Publication of the 

 Monograph of Elwes (1880), J. G. Baker; Notes on Chinese Lilies, A. Henry; The 

 Lilies of the Western United States and British Columbia, C. Purdy; Dutch Lilies, 

 E. H. Krelage; JJlinm sulplmreum, F. W . Seers; Notes on Jyilium medeoloides, A. 

 linger; Lily Diseases, G. Massee; Notes on my Experience with Lilies, G. F. Wilson; 

 Lilies from Seed, F. W. Burbidge; Lilies in a Town Garden in the North, G. Yeld; 

 Lilies in the Open-air Garden and Woodland, W. Goldring; Lilies, J. C. Ley; Lilies 

 at Yalding, in Kent, S. Eeid; Lilies in Devonshire, G. S. Patey; Experiences in 



