HORTICULTUEE. 447 



spring depends not only upon its development in the individual parent, but on its 

 degree of development in the ancestors of that parent." 



The history of the Telephone group of peas is shown to be clearly inconsistent with 

 the universality of Mendel's law of dominance and segregation. These laws hold 

 only for races of particular ancestry. Neglect to take this fact into account is, in the 

 author's opinion, a fundamental mistake which Avill vitiate all work based upon 

 Mendel's methods. 



Mendel's law applied to orchid hybrids, C. C. Hurst {Jour. Roy. Hart. Sac. 

 [London], JG {1902), No. 4, 2)p. GSS-G95).— It has been shown that Mendel's formula 

 is of value for the separation of characters in self-fertilized crosses. The author shows 

 that the formula may be extended to the union of specific characters in intermediate 

 primary hybrids. The advantages of orchid hybrids for observations in heredity are 

 pointed out, and a table is given in which is shown the inheritance of pairs of siiecific 

 characters in 113 distinct hybrids belonging to several genera. Out of 4,548 specific 

 characters united by hybridization, 2,281 resembled either one of the parents, and 

 2,267 were intermediate between. Of the number resembling the parents, about half 

 resembled one parent and half the other. If A be taken to represent one parent and 

 a the other, and A a characters intermediate between the two, the formula for the 

 union of the characters becomes A + 2Aa+ a, which is the same as Mendel's formula 

 for the separation of characters with peas. 



Culture of orchids in leaf mold, L. P. De Langhe-Vernaene {Gard, Chron.,3. 

 ser., 31 {1902), No. 785, p. 26). — This method of grownng orchids is said to have been 

 originated 12 years ago by the concern of which the writer is a member. The basis 

 of the compost used is oak and beech leaves, with other leaves mixed with them. 

 Before using the compost all leaves not sufficiently composted are sifted out. If 

 the mixture then seems too compact a little coarse sand is added to insure the 

 passage of water. Pots of the usual form are used, the depth of which is about 

 equal to the width near the top. The bottom of the pseudo-bulbs is put on a level 

 with the upper edge of the pot, the soil made firm and covered with a light layer of 

 sphagnum chopped into inch lengths. The amount of water given is regulated 

 according to the genus of orchid. This feature must be learned. 



A graft of hybrid Crataegus-Mespilus, J.Jensen {Amer. Gard., 23 {1902), No. 

 406, p. 638). — An unusual offspring obtained by grafting Mespilus germanica on Ora- 

 tiegiis oxyacantha. The union developed 2 branches of entirely distinct character. 

 One showed a distinct resemblance toward the Crataegus, while the other inherited 

 more of the Mespilus character. 



Fundamental principles of plant breeding, L. Burbank {Amer. Florist, 19 

 {1902), No. 748, pp. 341-343; Amer. Gard., 23 {1902), No. 406, pp. 639-642, fig. 1).—K 

 paper read before the International Plant Breeding Conference, held in New York, 

 September 30 to October 2, 1902, in which the author discusses some of the general 

 principles of plant breeding and indicates the possibilities of this kind of work. 



Pictorial greenhouse management, W. P. Wright {London and New York: 

 Cassell ct- Co., Ltd., 1902, pjj. 144, figs. 86). — This book gives brief cultural directions 

 and shows pictorially how to pot, prune, and care for the more common flowers of 

 the greenhouse during the different months of the year. An alphabetically arranged 

 table is included, naming the best species or varieties, their color, height, season of 

 blooming, temj^erature required, culture, etc. 



A garden in the suburbs, Mrs. Leslie Williams {London and Neiu York: John 

 Lane, 1901, pp. 193, ph. 9). — This is a popular publication intended for the use of 

 those having limited areas to devote to the growing of shrubs and flowers. Work 

 for each month of the year is briefly noted and suggestions given i-egarding the buy- 

 ing of plants and similar problems. 



European and Japanese gardens {Philadelphia: Henry T. Coates & Co., 1902, 

 pp. 162, figs. 148). — This is a collection of papers which were read before the Amer- 

 ican Institute of Architects at its thirty-fourth annual convention held in Washing- 



