476 
Rhododendron spinuliferum is a Chinese species. Though originally 
collected by Delavay, we owe its introduction to horticulture to 
r. .de Vilmorin, who raised plants from seeds sent by Ducloux 
in 1907. The flowers resemble those of R. Keysi?, Nutt., but in 
other respects the species is more closely allied to RA. spiciferum, 
Franch., and R. scabrifolium, Franch. It will probably be hardy 
only in the mildest part of our islands. 
Symbegonia is an interesting genus of Begoniaceae in which the 
perianth segments of the female flower are united, while in the male 
flower they are free. e genus is endemic in New Guinea and 
includes four species, all of which have been found in Kaiser 
Wilhelmsland, The subject of the illustration was raised at the 
Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, from seed sent by Dr. Schlechter 
from New Guinea in 1908. 
The pA is a very distinct and decorative member of the 
genus and is old garden plant. It was sent from Chiapas, 
Mexico, by Mr. Ghiasbreght to Mr. Linden, and exhibited by him 
about 1861. The only species which it resembles is P. hetero- 
phylla, Beer, in which the inflorescence is similar, but the dimorphic 
bitin readily distinguish it from the subject of the plate. The 
= Soy was prepared from a plant which flowered at Kew in June, 
1910 
The Japanese Cherry, Prunus Sargentii, is most nearly related 
to P. serrulata, Lindl., but is distinguished by its few-flowered 
sessile or subsessile umbels and its broader and pote coarsely 
serrated leaves. Professor Sargent presented seeds to Kew in 
1893, from which the plant figured has been raised. Tt i is one of 
the most beautiful of the single-flowered cherries, and in its native 
country the tree is said to attain a height of 80 feet ; the timber is 
also much used for wood carving and for the preparation of printing 
blocks. 
Papyrus Cultivation in Egypt—The following interesting note 
on Papyrus cultivation in Egypt has been received at Kew, in 
ccnwere to an enquiry, from the Director-General of Agriculture, 
airo. e information, we understand, was received from a 
correspondent in Alexa ndria. 
“Papyrus has been planted for commercial purposes along the 
canals on an estate in the Belbeis district near Cairo. So far the 
product is only trifling, but if the initial experiments are a success 
the plant will no doubt be grown on a larger scale later. 
Papyrus is easily but not very quickly propagated by means of 
oto planta one metre apart th Mas ch tt iiy al feo be raised 
h is best sown on Sphagnum moss. The 
oye take about two years to become strong plants. 
“It appears that Papyrus is more sensitive to salt and to drought 
than the Egyptian Mat-sedge (Cyperus alopecuroides). The Dest 
saenite are obtained when the rootstocks are constantly sub- 
