NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



107 



for the herbaceous border, not to mention such a well-known favourite as 

 the Chinese pink (D. chinensis) and its innumerable varieties. Others 

 of low- growing and spreading growth form one of the chief ornaments of 

 the rock garden during the late spring and early summer. There is a 

 wide range of kinds to choose from, some suitable for almost any position 

 and aspect. Some are at home on sunny ledges, where their glaucous 

 foliage forms a curtain over the face of the rocks, making a pleasing 

 picture even when not in flower. Others may be planted while very 

 small in the rocky fissures or in cracks of old walls, where they quickly 

 make themselves at home and soon form beautiful evergreen tufts. 



For a shady position others may also be found which will thrive under 

 those conditions. The chief requirement of the pink family is thorough 

 drainage, anything in the nature of stagnant moisture being fatal to their 

 well-being. 



For the great majority plenty of mortar rubbish mixed with the goil is 

 beneficial ; but, of course, there are exceptions which dislike lime in any 

 form, and these should be supplied with plenty of broken sandstone and 

 grit.— E. T. C, 



Piptanthus nepalensis. By J. M. Duvenay (Le Jardin, vol. xx. 

 No. 467, p. 234). — This plant, introduced 1821, has been almost for- 

 gotten. A leguminous papilionaceous species, with abundance of short 

 racemes of golden flowers, produced at the end of May. These, how- 

 ever, as the name implies (pijrto, I fall ; anthos, flower), drop off very 

 quickly, and the chief value of the shrub, which is of rapid growth, lies 

 in the fact that its leaves are almost evergreen. Another species not yet 

 introduced is P. tomentosus, from Tonkin, a shrub 3-6 feet, covered in all 

 its parts with a soft, silvery down. — F. A. W, 



Plane Disease. By Hortulus (Le Jardin, vol. xx. No. 467, p. 236 ; 

 2 figs. ; August 5, 1906). — The plane trees of France have lately been 

 ravaged by a cryptogamic disease, due to Gloeosporium nervisequum. The 

 fungus attacks the young leaves, covering them with dry, scaly patches, 

 which run inwards from edge to petiole, after which the leaf drops off. 

 The shoots, branches, and trunks are attacked as well. Fumigation and 

 spraying with fungicides are the remedies recommended. — F. A. W. 



Plant Diseases in California. By E. E. Smith [U.S.A. Exp. Stn. 

 California, Bull. 184 ; January 1907). — A list of the chief fungal diseases 

 of plants in California is given, with brief recommendations for their treat- 

 ment.— J 7 . J. C. 



Plums in Georgia. By H. N. Starnes (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Georgia, 

 Bull. 67 ; December 19, 1904). — A brief but complete account of the 

 culture of the plum in Georgia is given under the heads of Soil, Propaga- 

 tion, Planting, Manuring, Pruning (pruning of the roots to within 5 inches 

 of the main root being recommended), Cultivation, Thinning, Defective 

 Pollination, Premature Blooming (whitewashing trees to prevent this is re- 

 commended), and Marketing, Then follows an account of the variety of 

 plums cultivated in Georgia, viz. Japan plums {Prunus triflora), " hybrids " 



