ABSTRACTS. 



781 



Propagation of Plants. By L. C. Corbett (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. 

 Farmers' Bull. 157 ; 22 figures ; 1002). — An enumeration of all the 

 natural and artificial means of propagation possible with plants. 



In the case of the latter class minute directions are given for the suc- 

 cessful performance of the operations of cutting, budding, and grafting 

 in all their different varieties ; hard-wood cutting, herbaceous or soft-wood 

 catting, tuber cutting and root cutting, layering, cleft grafting, whip 

 grafting, bark grafting, splice grafting, saddle grafting, veneer grafting, 

 and budding ; each process being illustrated by useful figures. — M. L. H. 



Pseudocedrela. By H. Harms (Not. Konig. Bot. Berlin, vol. iii. 

 (1902), p. 213). — Harms gives a short note to the effect that Pseudo- 

 cedrela Kotschyi, Schweinf., is not of importance as a substitute for 

 Mahogany in the Togo country, as he had surmised it might be. 



II. M. W. 



Pteris aquilina cristata. By C. T. Druery (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 822, p. 226, figs. 77 and 78; Sept. 27, 1902).— The rarity of 

 natural sports in Ferns is pointed out, and a figure is given of a crested 

 variety of the common Bracken in situ, which was found growing over a 

 considerable district near Faygate, Sussex. There are also figures show- 

 ing a frond of the crested variety, and also fronds of two other varieties 

 which were growing at the same place. — G. S. S. 



Range Improvement in Arizona. By David Griffiths (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Bur. Plant. Ind. Bull. 4). — A paper dealing with the existing 

 conditions and character of the forage supply on ranges in Arizona. 

 This, together with suggestions for their improvement, is of great value 

 to those interested in the industry of ranging and cattle-feeding. 



E. F. II. 



Ranunculus Paeony-flowered (Rev. Hort.ip. 199 ; May 1, 1902).— 

 Two new varieties from Krelage, Haarlem : purpurea grandiflora, fine 

 flowers of a velvety intense purple, rich colour ; and grandiflora rosea, 

 flowers, well made, of a salmon-tinted carmine rose. Both highly recom- 

 mended.— C. T. D. 



Raspberries, Wintering*. By O. H. Bamhill (U.S.A. Hort. Soc. 

 Iowa, 1901, p. 424). — Mr. Barnhill believes that one of the greatest hin- 

 drances to success in growing Raspberries is the winter killing of the vines, 

 and that the subject is one that is generally neglected. Moisture may be 

 conserved by maintaining the dust mulch, and the dreaded anthracnose 

 kept in check by spraying, but the vines have yet to be preserved from 

 freezing to death. The Raspberry is just the opposite to the Apple in that 

 it is the tops and not the roots that winter kills. The roots will usually 

 pass through the hardest winter uninjured, but it is the tops that need 

 protection. After mentioning various theories and suggestions of remedies* 

 the writer states that there is only one known way of wintering Rasp- 

 berries safely, and that is by laying down the vines in the fall of the year 

 and covering them with earth. This method involves considerable work > 

 and the drawback to it seems to be its cost. — V. J. 31. 



