276 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



FROM CURRENT HORTICULTURAL PERIODICALS. 



Abnormalities, Some Plant. By G. H. Shull (Bot. Gaz. xxvii. 

 No. 5. p. 343). — The following are described, fasciation in Erigeron 

 canadensis and Echium rulgare, a double-bladed leaf of Pelargonium to 

 which the petiole bore two perfectly formed blades united along a single 

 vein, having their undersides opposed to each other. A leaf of Hicoria 

 having a deeply lobed terminal leaflet, possibly due to the presence of a 

 gall ; abnormal forms of the petals of Sweet Pea ; ditto of the sepals of 

 Clematis Jackmanni showing cohesion, &c. ; foliaceous sepals of ' Star of 

 India ' Clematis. — G. H. 



Acacia spp. Experimental Stations. 1. Wairangi. Report by 

 E. Clifton (Dep. Agr. N.Z., 9th Bept. p. 153 ; 1901).— The Wairangi station 

 is the property of the Government, and embraces an area of 1,800 acres. 

 The land was considered of the poorest description, and was originally 

 commenced as a plantation for cultivating the Wattle for tanning and 

 bark. Unfortunately, at that time, the particular variety of Wattle, or 

 Acacia, the Acacia clecurrens, was not recognised as the most valuable 

 and suitable for that district ; in consequence about 400 acres were sown 

 with mixed seed, in which that of the comparatively worthless Acacia 

 dealbata predominated. The bark of this variety not only contains a 

 much less percentage of tannic acid, but the tree itself returns a much 

 less weight of bark than Acacia clecurrens. The purchasers show the 

 difference in the actual price obtained from them : clecurrens sold at 

 £1 15s. ; dealbata, or Silver Wattle, at i?4 5s. Settlers now quite realise 

 the importance of sowing the seed of the clecurrens. In warmer districts, 

 on the better land, the Golden Wattle (Acacia pyenantha) may be profit- 

 ably grown. It produces the greatest percentage of tannic acid. Here it 

 is caught by the frost, and does not grow to more than a large shrub. It 

 is inclined to retain a large number of branches. The stems are seldom 

 clear ; the bark is more difficult to remove, and the process is more costly. 



Acanthus arboreus. By C. Sprenger (Gard. Chron. No. 797, 

 p. 221, fig. 70; 5/4/1902). — This fine species was first sent to Europe 

 by Professor Schweinfurth from Arabia Petrrca, and it appears to be one 

 of the finest plants in the flora of that country. It is also found in parts 

 of Egypt, and has proved to be hardy at Naples during last winter and 

 is now in full flower there : it does not suffer from a slight frost, but 

 the leaves fall, and the steins dry up at a temperature below 25 Fahr. 

 It is an evergreen very spiny shrub growing to a height of nine or ten 

 feet. The flower heads are long and cylindrical, the flowers are of a 

 waxy white colour at the base and purple or carmine elsewhere. It is 

 easily grown from seed, and should do well in a succulent house ; it 

 requires as much light as possible. — G. S. S. 



B. N. 



