NOtES AND ABSTRACTS. 



129 



Thomery are completely open at the base (see fig. 16), which also shows 

 how the paper curtain can be delicately cut away as the grapes mature. 



F. A. W. 



Bag 1 Method Of Keeping' Grapes. By F. Charmeux (Le Jar din, 

 vol. xx. No. 468, p. 248; 2 figs.; August 20, 1906).— Insists on the 

 advantage of putting the grapes in bags at the beginning of June, before 

 they ripen. The bunches thus enclosed are at least ten days ahead of 

 the exposed bunches. If sent to market in their bags the grapes are 

 kept clean and perfect, the latest model, the "Preserver," being fitted 

 with a little spring by which it can be opened or closed at will.— F. A. W. 



Bag Method of Keeping Grapes. By A. Pirlot {Le Jardin, 



vol. xxi. No. 486, p. 154; May 80, 1907).— A valuable resume of the 

 subject, giving the rationale of many failures (from over-heating, enclosing 

 the grapes, apples, or pears too late, &c), and pointing out that with the 

 " Bell " or " Preserver " model, described in previous abstract, the bag can 

 be left open as much as is desired in fine weather and drawn together 

 after the middle of September, thus rendering possible the cultivation of 

 grapes in the open air in many places where the climate is otherwise 

 prohibitive. It should also be noted ttat these Lags are very durable and 

 will last for years. — F. A. W. 



Banana, The Cultivated {Bev. HorL May 16, 1906, p. 222).— 

 Mr. Otto Kuntze stated that the cultivated banana was known in America 

 500 years ago, and as it produces no seeds and is only propagated by 

 suckers, he doubts De Candolle's idea that it was introduced into America 

 from Africa and the Pacific Islands ; despite its infertility it is not con- 

 sidered to be a variety, as it is found where the so-called wild banana does 

 not exist.— C. T. D. 



Barberries, The. By W. F. Bean (Garden, No. 1810, p. 37 ; 

 July 28, 1906). — While the total number of species of Berberis in cultU 

 vation is now about forty, it may safely be said that one-fourth of these 

 are all that are needed adequately to represent the genus in an ordinary 

 garden. To those who have only a limited space at command I would 

 recommend the following ten sorts 



Evergreen — aquifolmm (W. N. America), Darwinii (Chili), japonicd 

 (China and Japan), stenoplujlld (hybrid), and ivallichiana (Himalayas and 

 China). 



Deciduous— aristata (Himalayas), buxifolia (Chili), sinensis (China)} 

 Thunbergi (Japan), and vulgaris (Europe and North Asia). 



Several of these, of course, are quite common, and none can be 

 described as rare. Of the evergreen barberries there is not the least 

 doubt but that the most valuable one is B. stenophylla. As is now well 

 known, this is a hybrid raised in the famous Handsworth Nurseries, near 

 Sheffield, I suppose, forty or fifty years ago. Its parents are B. Darivinii 

 and B. empetrifolia. To my mind it represents one of the greatest 

 achievements Of the hybridist, for it is not only very different from both 

 its parents, but as a garden plant it is a great improvement on both. 



E. T. C. 

 K 



