NOTES AND ABSTKACTS. 



615 



six to twelve in a rosette, spafchulate-lanceolate ; scape 7-9 inches higb, 

 fifteen to twenty flowered ; corolla violet-purple. — G. H. 



Primula musearioides. By W. B. Hemsley (Bot. Mag. 8168).— 

 Nat. ord. Primulaceae ; tribe Primuleae ; Western China. Leaves 

 rosulate, obovate-spathulate, 4-5 inches long ; flowers numerous, densely 

 turned downwards ; calyx purple ; corolla deep purple-blue. — G. H. 



Primula orbicularis. By W. B. Hemsley (Bot. Mag. tab. 8135).— 

 Nat. ord. Primulaceae ; tribe Primuleae ; China. A mealy perennial. 

 Scape 6 inches ; flowers 1-1 J inch diameter, clear yellow, fragrant. — G. II. 



Prunus Besseyi. By W. J. Bean (Bot. Mag. tab. 8156).— Nat. ord. 

 Bosaceae; tribe Pruneae; North-West United States. Dwarf, sometimes 

 prostrate, shrub, 2-4 feet high ; leaves 1-2J inches long ; flowers § inch 

 diameter, white. — G. H. 



Prunus Mume, Sieb. and Zucc. By C. Sprenger (Bull. B. Soc. 

 Tosc. Ort. 3, 1907, p. 71).— A tree about 25 feet high, native of 

 Japan, but, according to Siebold, imported thither from China origin- 

 ally. Amygdalus nanus of Thunberg is synonymous with this plant, 

 which is not a peach, but more nearly allied to the apricot. The 

 leaves are oval-round, acuminate, pubescent below, and doubly serrate ; 

 flowers solitary or in twos ; fruit round, soft, and not much in vogue with 

 European taste. It is quite hardy throughout Italy, produces bright 

 white and pink flowers, very strong-smelling, and is recommended 

 specially on account of its early flowering. There are two varieties 

 — alba and rubra 'plena, with double or pure white or bright and lively 

 carmine flowers, both equally lovely. The plants do well in pots. 

 Those described are two years from the graft, much shortened by 

 pruning and well branched ; each slender last year's twig is completely 

 covered with large sweet-scented flowers. They flower easily without 

 any special attention. — W. C. W. 



Raspberries and Blackberries, Varieties of, with Cultural 

 Directions. By 0. M. Taylor (Exp. Stn. New York, Bull. 278 ; May 

 1906). — A description of the varieties, tested for a series of years, with 

 notes as to their relative hardiness, earliness, and desirability. One 

 hundred and four different varieties are described. The most important 

 topics dealing with their cultivation are discussed, and suggestions 

 are given in regard to some of the methods followed by successful 

 growers. — C. H. II. 



Raspberries and Brambles. By J. G. Baker (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 1047, p. 33, January 29, 1907).— This article gives an interesting 

 account of the different species of raspberries, their hybrids, and hybrids 

 between raspberries and brambles, the various species of brambles and 

 their hybrids. The distinguishing character between raspberries and 

 brambles 1 'is that in the former the fruit can easily be pulled away 

 from the long receptacle, but in the latter it adheres firmly and carmot 

 be separated." — G. S. S. 



