ABSTRACTS. 



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Masdevallia xipheres and its Allies. By R. A. Rolfe (Orch. 

 Rev. p. 228 : August 1902). — Interesting particulars of the M. muscosa 

 group are included. — H. J. C. 



Massai Steppe, Plants Of the. By 0. Merker (Not. Konig. Bot. 

 Berlin, vol. iii. (1902), p. 194). — Merker gives a list of 85 plants of the 

 Massai Steppe (Kilimandscharo and Meru) which are used as medicines, 

 poisons, &c, together with their native names. — H. M. W. 



Mesembryanthemum Cooperi. By J. R. (Bev. Hort. p. 376 ; 

 August 16, 1902). — This pretty and floriferous species is found to be 

 hardy enough to stand 10 to 12° below zero C, i.e. about 20° F, of frost. 



C. T. D. 



Mildew. By E. M. (Journ, Hort. p. 450 ; May 22, 1902).— Amateurs 

 are w T arned not to expect plants of opposite tastes to thrive in the same 

 house. For instance, Malmaison Carnations want abundance of air, but 

 similar treatment is sure to cover Roses with mildew. The best remedy 

 for Rose mildew is explained. — C. W. D. 



Minnesota, Trees, Fruits, and Flowers of. (Trans. Minn. 

 Hort. Soc. xxix. ; 1901). — An interesting record of the good work done 

 by this society for the promotion of horticulture. Some of the principal 

 papers read by its members before other societies are included, and an 

 interesting biography of men prominent in horticulture, with a brief 

 summary of their particular work, are also given. One article, dealing 

 with " European Nurseries," gives the opinion of an American visitor as 

 to the chief difference between their methods and ours. The lists of 

 premiums offered for fruits, flowers, &c, and the winners of same, are 

 given, together with an illustration of the Exhibit in the Horticultural 

 Hall at the Minnesota State Fair. — E. F. H. 



Mosses. The Genus Bryum in Bohemia (Beih. Bot. Cent. bd. 

 xii. ht. 1, pp. 1-33). — Dr. Podpera (Prague) gives a very full account of 

 the habitats, localities, and anatomical characters of all species of this 

 difficult genus which occur in Bohemia. The paper is, however, of 

 special interest to British bryologists and botanists as a study in plant- 

 distribution. — G. F. S.-E. 



Moth-traps (U.S.A. St. Bd. Hort. Missouri, Rep. 1902 ; p. 105).— 

 Trap-lanterns are declared useless in orchards, as they fail to catch Codlin 

 moth, &c. — F.J.G 



Musa imperialis. By C. Sprenger (Bull. R. Soc. Tosc. Ort. viii. p. 235 ; 

 August 1902). — It comes from the German colony of Cameroon, in Eastern 

 Equatorial Africa. In its own land it grows during the rainy season,, 

 remaining quiescent and almost underground during the drought ; in 

 Europe it will therefore vegetate in spring and summer and be dormant 

 in winter. It is found in the wooded parts of the mountains and hills of 

 Cameroon, where it grows here and there amongst bushes of other plants. 

 Emerging with the first rains, it rapidly vegetates, flowers, matures its 

 seeds, and retreats on the approach of the great heat of the tropical 



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