ABSTRACTS. 1167 



• 



manure in the cultivation of garden vegetables, as shown by the growth 

 of Sweet Corn, Tomatos, Beets, and Beans. 



The addition of lime to manure produced no marked results. The 

 acid phosphate with manure caused increased vigour of plants and earlier 

 maturity of the crop. 



In the early stages of growth this latter combination appeared to 

 be the most satisfactory, but the results as a whole show that plain 

 manure had the best effect. — C. H. C. 



Maples, Japanese. By J. Clark (Garden, No. 1618, p. 360 ; 

 22/11/1902). — Acer japonicum, A. palmatum, and their respective 

 varieties, all of which are characterised by finely cut leaves, and most by 

 highly coloured foliage at certain seasons of the year, are commonly 

 known as Japanese Maples. These two species, however, are not the 

 only Acers natives of Japan : there are more than a dozen others. In 

 this article they are described. — E. T. G. 



Medicinal Plants, The Cultivation of. Anon. [Jour. Bd. Agr. 

 vol. ix. No. 3, 1902, pp. 368-370).— This paper is the result of an 

 inquiry regarding the prospects of growing various medicinal plants in 

 this country as a profitable industry. A Report from the Secretary of the 

 Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain shows that the prospect of 

 success in growing medicinal plants and herbs in this country for the 

 drug market is very slender. The plants enumerated in the Report are : — 

 Digitalis purpurea, Linn., the dried leaves of which realise about 34s. 

 per cwt. ; Henbane (Hyoscyamus nigcr, Linn.) ; Belladonna (Atropa 

 Belladonna ; Lavender, the cultivation of which "for the distillation of 

 oil is reported to yield no profit at present prices." " Peppermint is a 

 more remunerative crop, but it is stated that only an experienced person 

 can hope to make it pay." 



Aconite, Poppy (for capsules), Rhubarb, Roses, Chamomile, and 

 Liquorice are also mentioned, but no definite information is given about 

 them.— B. N. 



Mesembryanthemum raeemosum. By N. E. Brown (Gard. 

 Chron. No. 829, p. 350 ; Nov. 13, 1902).— A new species from South 

 Africa, of which a full description is given. The plant grows from 12 to 

 18 inches in height, with deep rose-pink flowers. It belongs to a group in 

 which the outer stamens are without anthers ; these barren stamens are 

 very numerous and bend inwards, completely covering the fertile stamens, 

 so that it would be impossible for the stigma to be fertilised by any insect 

 unless they opened at night ; but whether this was so or not the writer 

 had no opportunity of finding out. — G. S. S. 



Mesembryanthemums. By S. W. Fitzherbert (Garden, No. 1618, 

 p. 362 ; 22/11/1902;. — These are not everybody's plants, and the fact that 

 there are few localities in the British Isles where they can be. grown 

 successfully doubtless accounts for the scant attention they receive. The 

 best collection is undoubtedly that contained in the gardens of Tresco 

 Abbey, Isles of Scilly, where 120 species are grown. Here the porous 

 soil consists of peat and disintegrated granite, and the sea is close at 

 hand.— E. T. C. 



