NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



621 



gave little better results ; the weak thiosulphate gave fair results, the 

 strong thiosulphate better, and the polysulphides are about equal to the 

 thiosulphate in insecticidal power. None of the compounds singly gave 

 such good results as the complete mixture. — F. J. C. 



Seaside Planting-. By H. W. Trevince (Gard. Chron. No. 1084, 

 p. 212, October 5, 1907.) — The author enumerates various plants which 

 are suitable for exposed positions near the sea. He says : " In almost 

 all cases the plants should be thoroughly hardened before being planted 

 in their permanent quarters ; the more exposed the position the more 

 necessary it is to carefully prepare the soil before planting." — G. S. S. 



Selaginellas. By G. T. Grignan (Bev. Hort. November 16, 1907, 

 pp. 515-18 ; 6 illustrations). — An interesting list of this genus, with 

 cultural advice. — C. T. D. 



Shortia uniflora. By W. Watson (Bot. Mag. tab. 8166).— Nat. 

 ord. Diapensiaceae ; tribe Galacmeae ; Japan. Evergreen, creeping 

 undershrub, 3-6 inches high ; leaves petiolate, orbicular, cordate ; scapes 

 numerous, 1 -flowered ; flowers 1^-1 f inch diameter ; corolla broadly 

 campanulate, pink, toothed. — G. H. 



Smudge Fires. By Mr. Handly (Trans. Hort. Soc. Illinois, 1905, 

 p. 111). — To lessen danger from severe spring frosts what are called 

 "smudge fires" are made in Missouri and Florida — trimmings of trees 

 piled up with straw on top and manure above that, lighted and burnt 

 slowly, have saved apple and orange crops from destruction. — C, H. L. 



Solanum Commersonii. By Paul Vincey (Jour. Soc. Nat. Hort. 

 Fr., 4th Series, vol. viii. ; February 1907). — Solanum Commersonii, lately 

 discovered wild in Uruguay, has been by some people identified with the 

 potato of the French variety ' Geante Bleue.' Experiments have, however, 

 been made with Commersonii and two varieties of potato, ' Geante Bleue ' 

 and 1 Richter Imperator ' on the sewage farm at Achere, with the result 

 that Commersonii proves to be a distinct plant, to be useful in itself, 

 unusually resistant to mildew, and able to support great extremes of wet 

 and drought. — M. L. H. 



Soy Bean Varieties. By C. R. Ball (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Bur. PL 

 Inch, Bull. 98 ; May 1907 ; 5 plates). — The soy bean (Glycine hispida 

 Maxim.), an annual leguminous plant, is becoming more and more 

 cultivated in the States, while it forms the principal crop of its kind in 

 China and Japan. This well-illustrated bulletin gives detailed descriptions 

 and a classification of the known varieties based primarily upon the seed, 

 which varies in colour considerably. Other points considered of differential 

 value are the length of time taken to reach maturity, the height of the 

 plant, and the size of the seed. Those varietal names that are synonymous 

 are indicated. — F. J. C. 



Spiraeas, Herbaceous. By G. B. Mallett (Gard. Chron. No. 1084, 

 p. 243, October 5, 1907, and p. 260, October 12).— A large number of 

 species belonging to this genus are described and commented on. 



G. S. S. 



