628 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



archegonia show the same arrangement as the antherids. Serial sections 

 by methods of which a detailed account is given formed the basis of these 

 conclusions. A dark brown substance in the paraphyses and antheridial 

 wall, unaffected by acids, appears to prevent the passing away to the stem 

 of water that falls on and is required by the antherids. The evacuation of 

 the antherid of Marchantia is due to the swelling of a mucous substance 

 present in the cells of its wall. The rhizoid bundles of Polytrichum have 

 the structure not of a cord, but of an electric cable, small outer rhizoids 

 being twisted round a central larger one. Their function is primarily 

 that of water supply. The adventitious buds of Catharinea undulata are 

 borne on true rhizoids, not rhizomes. — M. H. 



Buddleia variabilis (Gard. p. 152; 29/8/03).— This plant may be 

 included among the most prominent shrubs introduced from China in 

 recent years, and in favoured parts of the British Isles it will probably 

 rank next to the yellow-flowered B. globosa in merit. It is of semi- 

 herbaceous character and grows late into the autumn ; in spring it 

 shoots freely from the old wood, and during summer makes growths 4 to 

 5 feet long. It is a vigorous grower and flowers abundantly. — E. T. C. 



Bulb Propagation. By S. Mottet {Rev. Hort. June 16, 1903, 

 p. 282-4 ; 3 woodcuts). — A very interesting article on the propagation of 

 Hyacinth and other bulbs by mutilation, which enables the axial buds, 

 common to their massed foliage as to plants generally, to reach the light 

 and develop. The bulbils produced, however, by entire excision of the 

 base of the bulb would appear to be independently generated, as the 

 axillary parts proper are excised entirely ; the phenomenon is therefore 

 similar to leaf propagation of Gloxinia, Begonia, &c. — C. T. I). 



Bush Fruits {U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Rhode Island, Bull. 91, March 1903, 

 tabs, and plates). — This is a valuable bulletin and of great use to all 

 interested in the culture of bush fruits, e.g. Raspberries. Tables and 

 diagrams are given, showing the results of various experiments extending 

 over some years and contrasting the effects of various fertilisers, such as 

 nitrate of soda, dried blood, &c. The plants grown on the plots which 

 had been fertilised do not seem to have proved ahcays superior to the 

 others, and it is suggested that perhaps nitrate of soda, &c, force too rank 

 a growth and induce winter killing. The effect of lime has also been 

 extensively tested, and while it proved of advantage to the Blackberry, it 

 would seem to have been not only of no advantage, but even injurious to 

 the red Raspberry; but it should be noted that the experimenters appear 

 to be far from satisfied that the results are absolutely reliable. 



I nterpollination and cover-crops are also dealt with. Interpollination 

 had not been considered important before the experiments recently made, 

 but, imperfect as the observations were, they indicate strongly that even 

 prolific pollen-bearers may be benefited by association with other varieties 

 blooming at the same time. Judging from the results given, the practice 

 of sowing a leguminous cover-crop among bush fruits is likely to prove a 

 desirable one. Useful notes are also given as to fruiting habits of these 

 trees, plant selection, crossing of varieties, &c— V. J. M. 



