NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



269 



collections ; and the decorative department. The great feature at Dahlem 

 is the Alpinum, a series of rockeries intended to represent the great 

 mountain ranges of the world : their lower slopes are clothed with grass, 

 trees, and shrubs as in nature, while higher up the vegetation becomes 

 gradually dwarfed. The glass houses are numerous, and are divided 

 into nursery and show departments ; into the former the public are not 

 allowed to enter without a special pass ; all the houses are connected 

 by an underground tunnel for the use of the employes. In addition 

 to the garden there is also a large building containing the herbarium, 

 library, and museum specimens.— G. S. S. 



Black Currant Pest. By J. Vercier (Le Jar din, vol. xxii. No. 511, 

 p. 170, June 5, 1908). — The attack of the currant clearwing moth, Sesia 

 tipuliformis, a deadly and increasing pest, may be recognised by the 

 withering of the leaves and fruit on a branch in May and August. This 

 is caused by caterpillars hatched under the bark, which tunnel their way 

 through the heart of the wood. M. Vercier urges the burning of these 

 diseased branches as soon as they wither ; otherwise, if merely cut off 

 and heaped together, the grubs have time to develop into moths, and the 

 second generation will be worse than the first. — F. A. W. 



Black Locust (Bobinia Pseudacacia). By Gifford Pinchot (U.S.A. 

 Dept. Agr., Forest Service, Girc. 64 ; Sept. 1907). — The Locust 

 Tree or False Acacia is well known in this country as a valuable 

 timber producer, though it is rarely cultivated for purely economic pur- 

 poses. The timber produced in this country is of excellent quality, and 

 the lasting properties when brought in contact with the ground have 

 often been the subject of comment. The range of the Locust is from 

 Pennsylvania to Georgia, and in certain portions of Eastern Indian 

 Territory and Arkansas. The methods of propagation, planting, in- 

 jurious insects, and economic uses of the wood are treated of. — A. D. W. 



Bulbophyllum fascinator. By R.A. Rolfe (Bot. Mag. tab. 8199).- 

 Nat. ord. Orchidaceae, tribe Epidendreae. Annam. Epiphyte ; leaves 

 elliptic, oblong, 2 inches long, 1 inch broad ; flowers large, with long 

 sepaline appendages ; green with purple or crimson markings ; lower 

 sepals coherent. — G. H. 



Cactus Dahlias. By S. T. Grignan (Bev. Hort. June 1, 1908, 

 pp. 252-3 ; coloured plate).— A description of several varieties raised by 

 MM. Cayeux and Le Clerc, the one depicted " Conservateur Lefebvre " 

 representing a very fine type with brilliant orange and scarlet petals, with 

 a tinge of heliotrope. — C. T. D. 



Canker Worm, The Spring-. By H. A. Gossard and J. S. Houser 

 {U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Ohio-, Circ. 65; March 1907; figs.).— A life history 

 of this insect (Paleacrita vernata) is given, and preventive measures 

 suggested, see p. 122. Nothing new is added, but the authors consider 

 that the method of grease banding is more sure than spraying with 

 arsenical compounds in dealing with the pest. — F. J . G. 



