5l6 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The only effective control is the cultivation of wilt-resistant varieties, such as 

 ' Dillon,' ' Dixie,' ' Modella,' ' Sam Wood,' &c. 



Root-knot is caused by the attacks of eelworms. These enter the root and 

 cause galls to form. The attack is more prevalent on sandy than on clay soils. 

 To control this pest, systematic rotation of crops is recommended. — A. B. 



Cranberry Toad-bug, The. By F. A. Sirrine and B. B. Fulton {U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., New York Agr. Exp. Stn., Bull. 377, March 1914 ; 8 plates, 2 charts, 

 4 figs.). — Cranberry growers on Long Island have been troubled by a peculiar 

 dying of the new growth of the vines, caused by the Cranberry toad-bug (Phyllo- 

 scelis atra Germ.), of the family of Fulgoridae. 



Flooding and spraying are the two methods of control, the former being 

 the best when practicable. — V. G.J. 



Cymbidium x Pauwelsii {Le Jard. vol. xxviii. p. 181; 2 figs.). — Cymbidium x 

 Pauwelsii was obtained in 1908 by crossing C. Lowianum $ with C. insigne^. 

 The hybrids began to flower regularly in 191 3, each plant producing four 

 or five stems, each bearing about 30 flowers. Most of the flowers are pale 

 yellow with a crimson labellum, but some are white or yellow. It is of easy 

 cultivation in the cool or temperate house. It flowers from December to 

 May.— S. E. W. 



Dasheen. By R. A. Young (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., 17 pp. ; 4 plates). — The Dasheen, 

 an Aroid, is cultivated with success in Florida and South Carolina in rich, 

 moist, sandy soil. It has large shield-shaped leaves like a Caladium. The 

 leaves and the rind of the tubers contain an acrid ingredient which attacks 

 the skin. The action is neutralized by soda. The corms ripen in October and 

 are not damaged by a wet season. They contain a larger proportion of carbo- 

 hydrates and protein than the potato. They may be baked or converted into 

 flour. The blanched shoots serve as a substitute for asparagus, and the young 

 leaves for spinach. — 5. E. W . 



Dorstenia zambuzaensis (Bot. Mag. tab. 8616). — Belgian Congo. Family 

 Urticaceae. Tribe Moreae. Herb, stems erect, ft. high. Leaves elliptic- 



lanceolate, 3-6 in. long, glabrous. Receptacles angularly orbicular, disk §-§ in. 

 across, narrowly winged with a marginal fringe. — G. H. 



Echium Perezii (Bot. Mag. tab. 8617). — Island of Palma. Family Boragina- 

 ceae. Tribe Boragineae. Herb, tall and erect, 2 ft. high. Leaves deflexed, 

 linear, 5 in. long. Thyrse terminal, ovoid, many-flowered. Corolla funnel- 

 shaped with regular limb \ in. across, pale pink or rose. Stamens exserted (not 

 declinate). — G. H. 



Echiums and Statices (Rev. Hort. d'Alg. No. 12, Dec. 191 3, p. 464). — The 

 plants which are the objects of this notice are justly considered as the marvels 

 of the rich vegetation of the Canaries. Although belonging to two genera 

 represented by a certain number of species in the French Flora, the humble 

 Viperines and modest Statices of Europe give no idea of the splendour of their 

 kindred in the Fortunate Isles. 



The species found in the Canaries and their culture are described in this 

 article. — M. L. H. 



Electric Niagaras. By A. Beckerich (Le Jard. vol. xxviii. pp. 203-205, 

 xxix. pp. 272, 273, 281-283, 290-292 ; 5 figs.). — Assuming that hailstorms are 

 due to the difference of potential in the negative electricity in the earth and the 

 positive in the clouds, attempts have been made to protect the crops frc m damage 

 from hail and thunder-storms by means of " Electric Niagaras." The Niagara 

 is a conductor of electricity consisting of a band of electrolytic copper 3! inches 

 wide, "07 inch thick, and about 43 yards high. The lower end terminates in 

 a conductor with branching arms buried in moist earth. The upper end, 

 supported in the air, terminates in a number of sharp points, and should be not 

 less than 11 yards higher than any object in the immediate neighbourhood. 

 The idea is that a continuous flow of negative electricity passes through the 

 conductor from the earth to the clouds, neutralizing the positive electricity and 

 reducing the potential. Under these conditions the number of thunder-storms 

 is reduced, their severity diminished, and what little hail falls reaches the earth 

 in a soft state and does little damage to the crops. Further observations on 

 the efficacy of the Niagaras is desirable. — S. E. W. 



Electricity, Influence of, on Plants. By M. Pinelle (Jour. Soc. Nat. Hort. 

 Fr: Jan. 191 5, p. 12). — The Abbe Meulcy suggests, as the explanation of 

 experiences he has had in his own garden, that the near neighbourhood of high 

 electric currents may be injurious to vegetation. — M. L. H. 



