NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



305 



Acids (dilute) or strong alkalis (potash and sodium) sometimes 

 increase percentage of germination. Fatty acids in dilute solutions 

 shorten the after-ripening period of both hawthorn and apple. Acetic 

 acid has been used with good results on seedlings of both Indian corn 

 and tomato. Hawthorn seeds treated with N/1000 acetic acid attain 

 an enzyme reaction equal to that of untreated embryo after ninety 

 days. The more dilute solutions of butyric and hydrochloric acid 

 were also effective. There is some correlation between acidity of the 

 hypocotyl of Crataegus, its water-absorbing power, production of 

 enzymes, and germinating power. The acidity may cause the liberation 

 of enzymes. — G. F. S. E. 



Shrubs from Cuttings, Propagation of. By B. (Garden, p. 399, 

 Aug. 10, 1912). — Two kinds of soil are sufficient for most shrubs, one 

 in which peat and the other loam predominates, in either case one- 

 third silver sand being added. 



Clean pots, 3 to 6 inches in diameter; are best. Young shoots are 

 in best condition for rooting when they are a little firm, those requiring 

 entirely cool treatment being somewhat more firm. In the third 

 week in May cuttings of Diervillas; Forsythias,- and Philadelphus may 

 be taken, and in a warm propagating case or hot-bed will root in a 

 fortnight. 



June and July are suitable for Spiraea, Prunus triloba, P. japonica 

 ft. pi., Escallonia, Kerria japonica, species of Rose, Laurel, Aucuba, 

 Tree Ivy, Olearia, Cornus Spaethii, Viburnum, Honeysuckle ; July 

 and August for Heaths, Rhododendrons; and the like. With Heaths 

 great care must be taken in trimming the leaves from the lower parts j 

 if the bark is injured the chances of rooting are diminished. Cuttings 

 in cold frames should be dibbled into the soil of the frame. Berberis 

 stenophylla and the double Gorse root well in this way, but are a failure 

 in heat. Brooms, conifers, such as variegated Yews; root well in this 

 way, also varieties of Cupressus, Thuya, and Hollies. — H. R. D. 



Sinomenium diversifolium. By W. B. Hemsley (Gard. Chron., 

 p. 402 ; November 30, 1912 ; with fig.). — This has been known in 

 gardens as Cocculus variiformis. This note refers to its naming, 

 habit and history, and the male inflorescence is figured. — E. A. B. 



Snowdrops. By S. Arnott (Garden, p. 9, Jan. 6, 1912). — Galanthus 

 nivalis, the common snowdrop, beside its less graceful but pleasing 

 double form, has given rise to many other forms, though a good number 

 are only in the hands of a few enthusiasts. One of the finest is the 

 South European form, G. nivalis Imperati, a noble form, but not so 

 reliable as some forms as our smaller ordinary snowdrop. The best 

 variety of Imperati is Atkinsii, but Pseudo-Atkinsii is also very 

 fine. Among others are the so-called yellow snowdrops, which have 

 yellow instead of green markings. Lutescens and flavescens are the 

 single yellows, and there is also a double one. The green G. n. 



vol. xxxix. x 



