NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



473 



Fruit-keeping, Problems affecting. By E. Meeking (Jour. 

 Dep. Agr. Vict. March 1913, pp. 174-178). — Problems being investi- 

 gated in Canada and U.S.A. : (a) The effects of various methods of 

 picking and handling fruits, (b) The influence of different methods 

 of packing, both with respect to the systems under which the fruit is 

 packed, and also the style of package used. (c) The results of apply- 

 ing cool storage at various periods after fruit is picked, (d) A study 

 of the physiological and chemical changes which take place in fruits, 

 both under cool storage transportation and under ordinary conditions. 

 (e) The effects of punctures, bruises, and abrasions of the skin on the 

 keeping qualities of fruits. (/) The reason why fruits vary in keeping 

 qualities, even when subjected to similar treatment regarding culti- 

 vation, harvesting, packing, and transportation. 



These investigations show the very great importance of careful 

 handling in picking and sorting, also that the higher the temperature 

 at which the fruit is picked the more speedily should it be placed in 

 cool storage, and the low temperature should be retained till placed 

 on the market. — C. H. H. 



Furcraea elegans, (BoL Mag. tab. 8461). — Mexico. Family 

 Amaryllidaceae, tribe Agaveae. Under-shrub, stemless. Leaves 40- 

 50, rosulate, 6J-8 feet long. Inflorescence to 25 feet high, bulbiferous. 

 Perianth | inch long, pale purple, at length brownish, lobes very pale 

 green within. — G. H. 



Gladioli, New, 1 Iris * and * Jean Ragot.' By S. Mottet (Rev. 

 Hort. Jan. 16, 1913 ; pp. 35-37 ; coloured plate). — An interesting article 

 on Gladioli generally. The plate depicts two very handsome forms : 

 ' Iris,' bold flowers of a delicate mauve, slightly striped with crimson 

 in centre ; ' Jean Ragot,' bright red, with darker radiating streak 

 on, central petal with white base. — C. T. D. 



Hats of Vegetable Material. By Dr. Carl Curt Hosseius 

 (Beih. Bot. Cent. Bd. 30, Abt. 2, Heft 1, pp. 79-87; 7 figs.).— The 

 author describes fully the shapes and methods of making hats, and 

 gives the species of grass, palm, &c, which are used in all the various 

 countries in which hat-making is practised. — G. F. S. E. 



Heliotropium anchusaefolium (Bot. Mag. tab. 8480). — South 

 America. Family Boragineae, tribe Heliotropieae. Herb, perennial. 

 Leaves linear-lanceolate. Corolla violet, corolla J inch across, on long, 

 branched scorpioid racemes. — G. H. 



Hydrangea rosea-paniculata 'Excelsior.* By L. Foucard (Rev. 

 Hort. July 16, 1912 ; pp. 324-6 ; 2 illustrations). — This is a cross 

 between H. hortensis rosea and H. p. grandi flora, and is recom- 

 mended as extremely floriferous, which the illustration confirms, and 

 of a rich rose colour. The second illustration shows H. ' Professor 

 D. Bois,' a vigorous plant with very large individual flowers, also of a 

 deep rose, but not of like hybrid origin.— C. T. D. 



VOL. XXXIX. 2 I 



