JCOTES AND ABSTRACT^. 



u Black rot" may be recognised by the formation on the root of 

 olive-brown or greenish spots, which become larger as the disease pro- 

 gresses, until the entire root may turn black. The same disease attacks 

 also the young sprouts, and is then called " black shank." This disease 

 is caused by a fungus known as Ceratocystis fimbriate. 



<: Dry rot " appears only on the underground portions of the plant. 

 The whole upper end of the root becomes wrinkled and covered with 

 small pimples, which progresses until the whole root is diseased. This 

 condition is caused by Phoma Batatae. 



" Scurf " attacks the root only, and appears first as a small brownish 

 speck ; this enlarges, and large areas of the root become affected, assume 

 a dark colour, sometimes shrivelling to a considerable extent. It is caused 

 by llonilocliaetes injuscans. 



" Soft rot" is strictly confined to the roots, and is largely a storage 

 trouble, caused by Rhizopus nigricans. The root soon acquires a most 

 disagreeable and characteristic odour. 



" Soil rot " is a strict field disease. The first indication of the disease 

 will be found generally about the base of one of the small rootlets, and 

 it seems that the fungus can gain entrance to the main root only through 

 these young delicate rootlets. The disease is exused by the fungus 

 Acrocystis batatas. Kainit and sulphur sown broadcast is recommended^ 

 at the rate of 300 lb. or 400 lb. per acre. 



" Stem rot" first appears in that portion of the stem at the surface 

 of the ground, and proceeds thence in both directions. It is caused by 

 Nectria Tpomoeae. 



"White rot" attacks the roots only, and changes the tissues into 

 a granular whitish substance. The spores are produced in immense 

 numbers, and are greenish blue in colour. The fungus would appear to 

 be a mould allied to the common " blue mould." — M. C. C. 



Tellima affiniS (Rivoire) (Lc Jardin, vol. xxi. No, 478, p. 28 

 fig. ; January 20, 1907). — New bulbous plant with long rigid stems and 

 white flowers. Very useful for bouquets ; will grow in a frame or cold 

 house. The minute bulbs should be planted three and four together in 

 a 5 -inch pot. — F. A. W. 



Teratology, Experimental. By L. Daniel (Lc Jardin, vcl. xx; 

 No. 469, p. 260; with 6 figs.; September 5, 1906).— An interesting 

 scientific article. Discusses the etiology of monstrosities, and suggests 

 that they arise from nutritive plethora, or the disequilibrium of absorption 



Cv 



predominating over consumption, with the ratio ~- < l 



\ja 



The author refers to a number of recent publications on this subject. 



F. A. 



Thyrsacanthus rutilans. By H. P. (Garden, No. 1795, p. 



209 ; fig. ; April 14, 1906).— Among the plants available for indoor 

 gardening there is not one that would be, even by the beginner, 

 confounded with the Thyrsacanthus, that is, when in flower, for it owes 

 its chief distinctive features to the beauty of its inflorescence. To the 

 cultivator who endeavours to form this into a neat, shapely plant its 



