*248 



JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



-attacks from this pest are enumerated. The different stages of liffr 

 history and methods of destruction are described in detail. — H. J. C. 



# 



Wood, The Structure of. By H. Stone {Joum. Hort. 2728,. 

 p. 28 ; 10 1/1901). — An article to show that the structure varies infinitely 

 in different kinds of wood, but is practically constant in the same species. 



W. W. 



Wyethia mollis [Compositce], California {Bot. May. tab. 7772). 

 ■ — A stout perennial herb with woolly leaves a foot long, heads 4 in. 

 in diameter from tips of ray florets, of an orange-yellow colour. — G. H. 



Xanthosoma HofFmanni, Schott ; (Aroidcce) Mexico. With wood- 

 cut in text {Hcv. Hort. JJelye, January 1901). — It is described by 

 Micheli, and compared with other species. — G. H. 



NOTE ON RUBBER-STRIP FOR GRAFTING. 



BvR. B. Rogers, A.M.Inst.C.E. 



I HAVE found pure rubber-strip a very useful material for grafting. This 

 is the material which is used for insulating joints on electric wires, and 

 can be obtained from dealers in electric wires in the form of a roll of 

 tape. I ffrst tried it in 1896, and after experimenting with it for a year 

 or two I gave up the use of clay altogether for grafting on small stocks ; 

 it is not so suitable for grafting on large stumps. The graft may be cut 

 to fit the stock in any of the usual ways, but care should be taken that 

 -there are no sharp edges left which might cut through the rubber-strip. 

 About 4 or 5 inches, measured before stretching, is sufficient for most 

 grafts on small stocks. Strip ^ inch wide weighs about 100 grains to 

 ;;he yard, so that 1 oz. is sufficient for about forty grafts. The rubber- 

 strip must be well stretched before putting on, then wound round the 

 joint so as to cover the whole of it from end to end, stretching it tightly 

 in the course of laying it on ; it then forms an air-tight covering and holds 

 the graft very firmly. The end may be tied, but the neatest way is to 

 moisten the end with rubber solution and stick it down. If very little 

 solution is used, it will stick at once if pressed down firmly ; if too much 

 solution is used, it takes a little longer to set. Last year I was using old 

 rubber-strip which I had had for several years, and I found that it 

 perished quickly in the sun, and I lost several grafts due to the rubber 

 coming off* before the graft had united properly. This year I have covered 

 the rubber with a layer of raffia put on loosely, simply as a protection 

 from the sun, and have found it quite satisfactory. The protecting layer 

 of raffia should be removed as soon as the graft has safely united, as it 

 mav form a harbour for vermin : but it is not necessarv to remove the 

 rubber, as it will stretch as the joint swells, and perish and peel off of its 

 own accord after being exposed to the sun for some time. Rubber-strip 

 may also be used for budding fruit trees ; but it is not so suitable for roses, 

 as the stocks are generally not strong enough to stand the strain o£ 

 winding it on tightly. 



