NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



525 



Passiflora coerulea. By C. Arranger (Le Jard. vol. xxix. pp. 312-314 ; 

 2 figs.). — Many beautiful hybrids have been obtained by crossing Passiflora 

 coerulea with P. incarnata, white flowers marked with blue on the petals ; with 

 P. kermesina, purplish-white flowers, nearly hardy ; with P. racemosa, purple 

 flowers, hardy. P. P/ordlii, a cross between P. coerulea and P. alata, has a 

 flower with a pink cup, white petals, and a blue, white, and blackish crown. 

 The well-known P. x Impiratrice Eugenie is probably a hybrid of P. coerulea 

 and P. alata or P. quadrangularis. — S. E. W. 



Pear Pest, The False Tarnished Plant-bug as a. By P. J. Parrott and H. E. 

 Hodgkiss (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., New York Agr. Exp. Stn., Bull. 368. November 

 1913; 8 plates, 2 figs.). — During some seasons pears in New York are affected 

 by a diseased condition, characterized by the cracking open of the skin in small 

 spots and the formation of protruding granular areas. 



Recent investigations have shown that the injuries are largely caused by 

 a true sucking plant-bug (Lygus invitis Say). The damage is done by the nymphs, 

 which attack both fruit and foliage. Grape blossom clusters are also liable to 

 attack. The adult is similar in appearance to the well-known tarnished plant- 

 bug. 



Spraying as blossoms drop with tobacco extract (40 per cent, nicotine) to 

 100 gals, water, and to which are added 3 lb. of dissolved soap, largely pre- 

 vents injury, but the spray must be thoroughly well applied. — V. G. J. 



Phelipaea foliata (Bot. Mag. tab. 8615). — Crimea and Caucasus. Family 

 Orobanchaceae. Herb, at Kew parasitic on Centaurea dealbata. Herb, leafless, 

 parasitic; stems simple, i-i£ ft. high. Scales ovate, oblong. Flower terminal, 

 solitary; the three lower petals, together, 2 in. across, the two upper i^in. 

 across, brilliant crimson, with 2 black basal spots. — G. H. 



Phosphates, The Importance, Selection, and Use of, in Agriculture in Massachusetts. 



By Wm. P. Brooks [U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Mass., Bull. 162, May 1915, pp. 127-167; 

 2 plates). — This bulletin shows that phosphoric acid is not relatively deficient in 

 soils in Massachusetts, and that under the systems of agriculture commonly 

 practised there is no reason to believe that it is becoming more so. 



The general results of two series of experiments with different phosphates 

 (one series extending over 18 years, the other over 12 years) are given. These 

 seem to show that the application of at least a moderate amount of phosphate 

 is usually profitable, and that the more soluble and available materials give 

 better results than those obtained from finely-ground rock phosphates. The 

 soluble phosphates favour more rapid early growth, earlier maturity, and larger 

 yields than the rock phosphates, and thus the former may be used with greater 

 profit than the latter. — A. B. 



Pinguicula gypsicola (Bot. Mag. tab. 8602). — Mexico. Family Leniibularia- 

 ceae. Herb, in flower 3^ in. high. Leaves, many heteromorphous ; summer 

 leaves linear, i\ in. long. Winter leaves, rosette, £ in. across, like that of a house- 

 leek ; leaf, spathulate, \ 'm.. long. Flowers, corolla purple, lobes linear oblong, 

 spur purplish, 1 in. long, slender. — G. H. 



Plant Diseases in England and Wales, 1914-15 (Jour. Bd. Agr. xxii. No. 10, 

 Jan. 191 6). — Owing to the necessity for economy, the Annual Report of the 

 Horticultural Branch of the Board of Agriculture will not be published, but 

 a statement of the present position of affairs as regards the most important 

 diseases of plants has been prepared. Under American Gooseberry Mildew it 

 is stated that the disease appeared at an earlier date in 191 4 than had previously 

 been recorded, and that there was an unusually severe attack on the fruit. This 

 was probably due to the mild spring, but owing to dry weather later the inten- 

 sity of the attack did not increase, although the extent did. Notwithstanding 

 the disorganization of labour due to the war, the gardens as a whole were satis- 

 factorily treated earlier than usual, with the result that there was a general 

 opinion that the condition of the fruit on the whole was far better in 191 5 than 

 in the previous year. Experiments that were conducted have confirmed the 

 policy of the Board, and show that, while spraying and tipping are the best 

 remedy against American Gooseberry Mildew, tipping alone is distinctly valuable, 

 while spraying alone cannot be depended upon. 



The present condition of wart disease is commented on, as is its distribution. 

 A number of cases of affected field crops have been found, and Special Orders 

 have been made declaring whole groups of allotments " infected." The pro- 

 cedure of the Board is to allow potatos to be planted only by licence, and only 

 varieties known to be immune to the disease are allowed. A large number of 



