ABSTRACTS. 



959 



The European markets are supplied from Madeira, the Canaries, 

 the Azores, &c. 



Amongst fertilisers, blood and bone or cotton -seed meal are a valuable 

 medium for the application of ammonia, conveying at the same time the 

 necessary amount of phosphoric acid. 



Potash should be added when required, preferably in the form of 

 carbonate. Kainit should be avoided. The following formula is given as 

 being useful on poor and deficient soils : — 



Ammonia . . . . .4 per cent. 

 Potash . . . . . 6 ,, „ 

 Phosphoric acid . . . 1 „ ,, 

 1,000 lb. to the acre for the first application ; 1,500 for the second ; 

 but the figures and formulae are only approximate. 



Suckers are the chief form of propagation for the common varieties. 

 Slips are only used for the higher-priced varieties, or when plants are 

 scarce. 



The best season for setting out the suckers is from July to November. 

 After-cultivation consists chiefly in stirring the soil and keeping free 

 from weeds. 



It is especially necessary to avoid breaking the leaves, as once the 

 epidermis is broken the plant loses moisture rapidly and much damage 

 results. 



Pineapples do not suffer from many diseases. Besides mealy bug, 

 red spider, &c., and the Pineapple scale {Diaspis Bromelice), for which 

 the usual remedies are in vogue, this plant is attacked by a special kind 

 of blight, due to a fungus in the soil, by fruit mould, from bruising, by 

 tangle root, spike, black-heart, and a natural process called " sanding," 

 which smothers the bud. 



It has been found beneficial to grow Pines under sheds, as partially 

 shaded plants result in more tender and juicy fruit than when grown in 

 the open, besides the protection afforded in the case of frost. 



The use of trees for shade as an alternative to sheds has not received 

 sufficient attention, but the author speaks of the advantage derived by a 

 crop of Pines from the shade and protection afforded by such trees as the 

 Cabbage Palmettos. 



It is thought probable that the use of leguminous trees, such as the 

 " Koyal Ponciana," the "Rain Tree," &c., besides giving shade and pro- 

 tection, might sensibly increase the amount of nitrogen in the soil, as has 

 been found to be the case in Coffee plantations, and thus greatly reduce 

 the cost of producing the finer varieties of Pineapples. As a by-pro- 

 duct, Pineapple fibre is thought worthy of increased attention, with a 

 view to its use in the textile industry. — C. H. C. 



Pinks, * Margfuerite,' Dwapf. By Jules Rudolph {Bcv. Hort. 

 pp. 409, 410; 9 1901). — Three woodcuts. Description of varieties, and 

 instructions for treatment as annuals by autumn sowings for flowering the 

 following May.— C. T. D. 



Piptanthus nepalensis. Anon. {Jour. Hort. p. 250; Septem- 

 ber 12). — Figured and described as a moderately hardy shrub, bearing 

 papilionaceous flowers in bunches. — C. W. D. 



