206 
and if of proper size for cricket-bat making (48 inches in circum- 
ference would have fetched the normal price per cubic foot. This 
timber, having been grown under a rainfall of about 60 inches 
r annum as compared with that of Hast Anglia, which is under 
25 inches, appears to afford sufficient proof that its peculiar virtues 
are inherent and not necessarily dependent on its environment. 
It need hardly be said that cutting down trees of the size of the 
one noted above is wasteful. So much greater is the proportion of 
woody tissue deposited on the trunk as the tree increases in size 
that, even allowing for compound interest, a loss is incurred by 
felling trees before they are 14 to 2 feet in diameter of trunk. 
n the article on this willow in the Kew Bulletin of 1907, it was 
suggested that its qualities were probably due to its remarkable 
vigour of growth. Whether this be so or not, there is no doubt 
that the timber of rapidly grown trees is better for the bat maker’s 
purpose, and of greater value per cubic foot, than that of slowly 
grown, comparatively stunted trees which is contrary to what 
obtains with timbers in general, The best bat maker's timber is 
that in which the annual rings are not less than 4 inch wide. Trees 
on poor or comparatively dry ground will bring in neither so quick 
nor so large a return per cubic foot of timber as those grown on ~ 
better, moister soil. This is a matter that should receive attention 
when a site is selected; further, any attention to the welfare of 
young trees will be repaid. Mr. Campbell believes that manuring 
the roots will prove profitable. 
W. J. B. 
Dendrobium Imthurnii—In the description given of this new 
_ orchid in K.B., 1912, p. 131, it was stated in error that its habitat 
was the Solomon Islands. We are informed by Sir Everard im 
Thurn that it was found near the Erakor Lagoon, Efate Island, 
New Hebrides. 
_. Botanical Magazine for April—T he plants figured are Schomburgkia 
Lueddemani, Prill. (t. 8427) ; Magnolia Kobus, DC, (t. 8422) ; Agave 
protuberans, Engelm. (t. 8429); Daphne retusa, Hemsl. (t 8430) 
and Campanula arvatica, Lag. (t. 8431). 
Schomburgkia Lueddemani is closely allied to 8. undulata, Lindl., 
but differs in the colour of the flowers and especially in the bright 
aig patch on the lip. The plant is of interest since it has been 
ost sight of since 1862, when it was described by M. Prilleux from 
a plant in the collection of M. Liiddeman in Paris. The plant 
figured was purchased for Kew from the collection of the Hon. W. 
Rothschild, Tring Park, and is reported to have come from 
Venezuela. 
growing tree and flowers freely ; it was introduced to England about 
1879 by Maries when collecting for Messrs, J. Veitch & Sons. 
