ABSTRACTS. 



777 



the soil, enabling the plant also to emit roots. The best drainage is 

 afforded by a few large crocks in the pot to a height of 2 or 3 cm. 

 Excessive dampness must be avoided, as this causes rapid decomposition 

 of the soil, and with it that of the roots. Duval, of Versailles 

 recommends with this kind of soil no watering, but mere light syringing 

 of the pots. It is advisable to water very little immediately after potting, 

 owing to laceration of the roots in this latter process. As a general rule, 

 all Orchids adapt themselves equally well to this kind of soil. Excellent 

 results have been obtained with Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Lcelia, Cattleya, 

 Lijcastc, Cypripedium. The writer finds that plants potted in this soil 

 grow more vigorously and quickly and produce superior flowers than is 

 the case with those cultivated in the old way. This mould is also much 

 less expensive and of much easier application. Its introduction is due 

 to M. De Langhe-Vervaene, of Brussels.— W, C. W. 



Orchis Hybrid. By E. F. Linton (Joum. Bot. 476, p. 297 ; 8/1902).— 

 Recording the undoubted occurrence of a bigeneric hybrid between Orchis 

 maculata and Habcnaria conopsca in a wild state from two or three 

 localities. — G. S. B. 



Pseonia arborea ' Elisabeth.' By E. J. Peters (Die Gart. p. 556 ; 

 23/8/1902 ; with illustration). — This sort is one of the best, most strong 

 and free flowering among double-flowering kinds, of a bright rose colour. 

 They are much more grown on the Continent than in England, and also 

 more successfully on the Continent. They are hardy, but require pro- 

 tection against spring frosts, which is the only secret to a successful 

 culture. — G. B. 



Parkinson, John. By G. S. Boulger (Gard. Chron. No. 803, p. 317, 

 fig. ; May 17, 1902). — The author of " Paradisus," or, to give part of 

 its full title, " Paradisi in sole paradisus terrestris, or a garden of all sorts 

 of pleasant flowers which our English ayre will permit to be nursed up, 

 &c," well deserves the obituary notice that Prof. Boulger has written 

 about him : in it is given a most interesting account of the above men- 

 tioned book. In 1629, when it was written, unlike the present time, 

 when one has almost lost count of the number of books on gardens and 

 gardening, there were but few on these subjects, and the author himself 

 says : " None of them have particularly severed those that are beautiful 

 flower plants fit to store a garden of delight and pleasure, from the wilde 

 and unfit." A copy of a photograph of the statue of John Parkinson in 

 the Palm House at Sefton Park, Liverpool, is given. — G. S. S. 



Passion Flower, A Superb. By Ed. Andre {Rev. Hort.^. 287-9 ; 

 with coloured plate cf Passiflora quadrangular is var. Decaisneana ; 

 June 16, 1902).— A splendid variety with dark crimson petals, with a large 

 cup-shaped whorl of numerous long filaments, white spotted with red, with 

 tortuous tips ; very handsome and delicately perfumed. Native of Brazil 

 and requires a warm house, in which it becomes a rampant grower, very 

 free-flowering. — C. T. D. 



Peach, Disease in. By Dr. E. F. Smith (U.S.A. Hort. Soc. Pep. 

 Mich. 1902 ; pp. 170-177). — Describes a disease of Peaches called the 



