NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



503 



fruits germinated, whilst in darkness 84 per cent, of the aerial and 

 77 per cent, of the subterranean were found to do so. 



Of Zacintha verrucosa, 96 per cent, of the central florets germinated 

 and 94 per cent, of the marginal when the covering bract was removed, 

 but only 18 per cent, when it was not removed. 



Rhagadiolus stellatus has four different kinds of fruit, but 100 per 

 cent, of each germinated. 



With Rapistrum rugosum there are one large upper and a small 

 lower seed in each fruit. Of the former 84 per cent, and of the latter 

 only 46 per cent, germinated. Removal of the capsule wall increased 

 the percentage of germination. 



There are many other special results which might be mentioned, 

 but unfortunately the author's results considered as general rules 

 are extraordinarily conflicting, and even what has been given in this 

 abstract cannot be taken as a guide to propagators. — G. F. S. E. 



Seeds, Germination of Packeted. By Edgar Brown (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. Ind., Circ. 101 ; Sept. 16, 1912 ; tables). — In the 

 interests of the small private grower some seed-testing experiments 

 have been carried out and tables are here given showing the percent- 

 ages of germination of : — 



1. Seeds bought from retail merchants in coloured packets without 

 grower's name. 



2. Seeds ordered by post from a wholesale seedsman after 

 consulting his catalogue. 



In both these classes the percentage of live seed was lower than 

 it should have been ; in the case of the first, which are here called " box 

 seeds," disgracefully so. In this case, the seeds being put up in showy 

 packets and sold through local general merchants, no one's reputation 

 is at stake, and there is no question of acquiring satisfied customers 

 for any special firm. 



It is asserted that the sale of packeted vegetable seeds will not 

 be on a proper basis until each packet is labelled with the percentage of 

 live seed which it contains. — M. L. H. 



Senecios, New. By Kache (Gartenflora, vol. lxii. pt. viii. pp. 172- 

 176; 2 plates). — Senecio clivorum occurs in Hupe (China) and in 

 Japan. It forms a bush 3 feet high, with large round leaves, and 

 bears a large number of yellow stellate flowers in July. 



S. tanguticus, discovered in Hupe, is a rapid grower, attaining 

 a height of 4J feet. The large leaf is pinnatipartite. The yellow 

 flowers are borne in panicles from the middle of August to September . 

 This plant is best grown in groups, with plenty of space, as it spreads 

 rapidly by means of underground runners. 



S. Veitchianus, introduced from Hupe, is the most imposing in 

 appearance of the family. The flower spikes, 6 feet high, are covered 

 with golden blooms for weeks, from the beginning of July. 



S. Wilsonianus resembles S. Veitchianus ; the leaf is reniform, and 

 the flowers yellow. These Senecios require plenty of nourishment 

 and moisture, but need no protection in winter. — S. E. W. 



