760 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Hyacinth, and one great recommendation to gardeners who force is the 

 fact that the bulbs can be got two months earlier than the Dutch — which 

 is a matter of great importance — giving a longer period for root action 

 before the plants are forced." — E. T. C. 



Hybrid Orchids and Mendel's "Law of Inheritance" (Orch. 

 Rev. p. 236 ; August 1902). — Several illustrations are pointed out, show- 

 ing how utterly impossible it is to regard the application of " Mendel's 

 Law " to facts already observed among hybrid Orchids. — H. J. C. 



Hybrids, Spontaneous. By F. W. Burbidge (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 822, p. 233; Sept. 27, 1902).— At Dalkey, on the coast, eight 

 miles from Dublin, Senecio Cineraria was popular as a bedding plant, 

 the seeds were blown to the rocky shore, and increased by the thousand, 

 it gradually extended along the shore until it met the native Ragweed, 

 S. Jacobcea, and this year many hybrid plants between them appeared in 

 flower. These hybrids appear to vary considerably, but are biennial, like 

 S. Jacobcea, the mother-plant. This is the second instance of hybrid 

 Senecios occurring in Ireland. — G. S. S. 



Impatiens cuspidata, var. arthritica. By Sir J. D. Hooker 



(Bot. Mag. tab. 7844). — Nat. ord. Geraniacece, tribe Balsaminece. Native 

 of the Nilghiri Mountains. It differs from the type form by the con- 

 spicuous snow-white farina on the stem. Peculiar swellings at intervals, 

 which may be a diseased condition, suggested the varietal name. — G. H. 



Insecticides, Insects and. By CP. Gillette (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. 

 Colorado, Bull. No. 71, pp. 1-40 ; Ap. 1902). — The preparation and use 

 of most of the insecticides in use in the United States are given in a con- 

 cise and useful form for reference. Among the substances that are less 

 known to English horticulturists are the following : — 



Pyrethrum, or Buhach — A substance obtained by pulverising the dried 

 blossoms of various species of the genus Pyrethrum. The proportions 

 given for application with water are : — Pyrethrum, 1 ounce ; water, 3 

 gallons. 



Use. — If thoroughly disseminated in the air of a room it will soon 

 bring to the floor all the flies and mosquitos therein. A good way to rid 

 a room of flies is to make the application and close the room tightly for 

 the night. Then in the morning sweep up the flies and burn them. If 

 they are not destroyed in this way, after being stupefied, many will over- 

 come the action of the powder and will live. 



If applied dry, use pure and make a very light application, or dilute 

 with flour and apply more freely. 



This insecticide has been used in this country as a remedy for noctuid 

 larvae infesting Adiantum and other species of Ferns growing in artificial 

 rockeries and has given satisfactory results. 



Borax. — Used chiefly for the destruction of cockroaches. Spread the 

 powdered borax upon bread, sweet potato, or banana peelings, or mix with 

 sweetened chocolate, and place the bait where the cockroaches can get at it. 



R. N. 



