NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



297 



avenaceum) were sown side by side on a variety of different soils to 

 ascertain whether the bulbous form was a response to external con- 

 ditions. In all cases both the bulbous form and the normal form were 

 reproduced true. The habit of forming bulbs is therefore hereditary, 

 and independent of conditions of habitat. — F. J. C. 



Orchard Heating. By W. A. Irvin (U.S.A. St. Bd. Hort., 

 Missouri, 4th Ann. Rep., 1910, pp. 159-164). — An interesting and 

 suggestive record of the practical experience of a grower. Three 

 thousand smudge pots, each holding ij gallons of oil, were used for 

 protecting 6,000 trees, and it took eight men less than an hour to light 

 them. The grower estimated the cost at $300 for the season (? once 

 firing only), and the results were so satisfactory that he is putting a 

 heater to each tree and another thousand on the outside of the orchard. 

 The temperature of the orchard can be raised 6° in four hours in this 

 way. — A. P. 



Orchard Management. By C. I. Lewis (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., 

 Oregon, Bull, in, Sept. 1911 ; 41 figs.). — This State contains the 

 famous Hood River Valley, where there are about 10,000 acres of 

 orchards, Yellow Newton and Spitzenberg being the principal varieties. 

 Lists are given of the varieties of fruits best adapted to different dis- 

 tricts. Walnuts are largely grown, and the writer believes that seed- 

 ling trees will have to be discarded to a large extent in favour of 

 grafted trees, the former varying both as to type of nut and bearing 

 habit (p. 72). The delicate practice of walnut grafting is described 

 at length (pp. 91 and 92). — A. P. 



Orchid Embryosac. By Lester W. Sharp (Bot. Gaz., pp. 372-385 ; 

 Nov. 1912 ; with 3 plates). — The author describes in detail the minute 

 embryology of the embryosac in some 9 species of orchid. There 

 is much variability in development within the species, resulting in 

 a reduction in the number of divisions between the megaspore and 

 the egg. There is a tendency to mature the egg earlier in these orchids. 

 The embryosac shows, however, remarkable uniformity. The endo- 

 sperm nucleus disorganizes without dividing. — G. F. S. E. 



Ornamental Shrubs, When to Prune. By W. D. (Garden, p. 70, 

 Feb. 10, 1912, and p. 81, Feb. 17, 1912). — An excellent article, giving 

 details of time and manner of pruning ornamental shrubs. — H. R. D. 



Pachira macrocarpa. By H. Memmler (Die Gart. p. 106 ; Feb. 22, 

 1913 ; well illustrated). — Nat. Ord. Malvaceae, a native of tropical 

 Mexico. It has large flowers with white silky petals, very fragrant. 

 Leaves digitate with 7-11 leaflets. It forms a small tree. — G. R. 



Packing Apples and Peaches. By Alderman (U.S.A. Exp. 

 Stn., West Virginia, Bull. 139, 12 pp. ; 38 figs.). — Full instructions 

 for packing fruits for market purposes, containing no new suggestions. 



E. A. Bd. 



