NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



157 



Potatos, an Infestat'on by a Midge. By Edith M. Patch {Jour. Econ. 

 Entom. vol. x. pp. 472-473). — A record of a Chironomid larva tunnelling near 

 the surface of potato tubers is reported from Roxie, Maine. The State Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture examined a barrel of these potatos but did not succeed in 

 breeding the midge. A specific determination was, therefore, impossible, but 

 Dr. O. A. Johannsen believed them to be Camptocladius sp. A plate accom- 

 panies the record showing larva and damaged tubers. — G. W. G. 



Primula nutans Delavay. By J.Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8735 ; November 

 191 7). — Native of Yunnan. A hardy Primula for the rock garden, but which 

 dies after flowering ; it sets seed quite freely, however, and can be easily propa- 

 gated. This species is easily confused with P. penduliflora but differs in foliage. 

 Inflorescence white, mealy towards the top, flowers nodding, violet. — L. C. E. 



Prunus subhirtella var. autumnalis Miq. By W. J. Bean (Bot. Mag. t. 8733 ; 

 October 191 7). — Native of Japan. A Cherry which comes into flower in October 

 and continues until December. Flowers white, fragrant, inclined to be double. 



L. C. E. 



Pyracantha crenulata var. yunnanensis (Irish Gard. xiv. Jan. 1919, p. 6). — 

 A little-known free, spring-flowering shrub, useful for covering a wall ; bears 

 bright crimson fruits in winter. — E. T. E. 



Pyrola bracteata Hook. By S. A. Skan (Bot. Mag. t. 8710B ; May 1917). — 

 A native of North America. A plant very similar to P. uliginosa. In P. 

 bracteata the petals are longer and narrower and the anthers are greenish yellow 

 instead of purple. — L. C, E. 



Pyrola uliginosa Torr. By S. A. Skan (Bot. Mag. t. 8710A ; May 1917). — 

 A native of North America. A hardy perennial plant growing in sphagnum 

 swamps. Flowers nodding, fragrant, bright reddish purple outside, pale rose 

 inside, anthers purple. — L. C. E. 



Quercus densiflora Hook, and Arn. By S. A. Skan (Bot. Mag. t. 8695 ; 

 Jan. 1917). — ^Discovered by D. Douglas probably in California. A rare tree 

 in England, transplanting badly. Evergreen. Catkins long and Castanea- 

 like. Acorn with thick woody shell ; cup densely red-velvety within, clothed 

 outside with long silky scales. — F. J. C. 



Raspberry Anthracnose Disease. By W. H. Burkholder (U.S.A. Exp. 

 Stn., Cornell, Bull. 395, Nov. 1917 ; figs.). — This disease attacks canes, leaves, 

 and pedicels of raspberry and allied plants. Small, reddish-purple spots are 

 first seen, enlarging slowly, finally producing cracks, which in the second season 

 may extend to the pith. The disease is due to the fungus Plectodiscella veneta 

 (Gloeosporium venetum), which is fully described. Inoculation experiments 

 were carried out. Red varieties are said to be very resistant. Care should 

 be taken not to plant diseased canes. The results of spraying are doubtful, 

 but suggest that Bordeaux mixture may be effective in checking the disease. 



F. J. C. 



Rhododendron Cuffeanum Craib. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8721 ; 

 August 1917). — A native of Burma, but not yet proved hardy in this country. 

 The inflorescence is in the form of terminal umbels of about five flowers. The 

 corolla is tubular, long and white with a yellow blotch on the upper side within. 



L. C. E. 



Rhododendron discolor Franch. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8696 ; Feb. 

 l 9 I 7)- — From W. Hupeh, introduced by E. H. Wilson to Arnold Arboretum 

 1908, thence to Kew. A fine species 6-8 feet high, with glabrous leaves grey 

 below, and large, fragrant, white flowers with glabrous filaments and densely 

 glandular style. Flowering in mid- June, the latest of its class, and starting late 

 into growth. Apparently perfectly hardy. — F. J. C. 



Rhododendron Fargesii Franch. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8736; 

 November 191 7). — Native of China. A showy plant, but, flowering as it does 

 in April, its flowers are liable to damage by late frosts. Flowers pink in bud, 

 rose-coloured when open. — L. C. E. 



Rhododendron neriiflorum Franch. By J. Hutchinson (Bot. Mag. t. 8727 ; 

 September 19 17). — Native of Yunnan. A dwarf shrub, perfectly hardy and 

 easy to grow. It can be easily distinguished from other species of the section 

 to which it belongs by the underside of the leaves, which are slightly reticulate 

 and pinkish glaucous. The flowers vary in shade from deep rose to crimson 

 scarlet, the corolla tube is pouched at the base and has a ring of purple patches. 



