NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



303 



at the Linnean Society on June 15, criticising Knuth's description of the 

 cross-fertilisation of the plant by Psychoda phalcenoides, and stating that 

 the rlies are drugged, killed, and absorbed by the arum. — G. S. B. 



Asparagus madagaseariensis. By C. H. Wright (Boi. Mag. tab. 

 8046). — Nat. ord. Liliacece, tribe AsparagecB, Madagascar. An erect 

 shrub, resembling Buscus aculeatus with narrow ternate phylloclades, 

 1-12 feet high. Flowers small, yellowish. Berries 3-lobed, crimson. 



G. H. 



Asparagus Rust, Control of. By R. E. Smith (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. 

 California, Bull. 172, 1906 ; 7 figs.). — Dry sulphur applied to the tops 

 of the asparagus has been found to check the rust if it is applied 

 just before the rust is due to appear. Flowers of sulphur applied at the 

 rate of half a sack to the acre, on two occasions, with an interval of one 

 month between, has been found to be an effective remedy. The least 

 satisfactory results were obtained when the dry sulphur was applied to 

 young beds, and it is recommended that these should be sprayed with 

 whale-oil soap and water (6 lbs. to 50 gallons) and then dusted with 

 flowers of sulphur. — F. J. G. 



Aster philippinensis. By S. Moore (Journ. Bot. 509, p. 138 ; 

 5/1905). — Description of a new species collected by John Whitehead at 

 altitudes of 5,000-6,000 feet in the island of Luzon ; has a perennial, 

 erect, slender habit, and probably white ray-florets. — G. S. B. 



Aster sedifolius and its Varieties. By F. N. Williams (Journ. 

 Bot. 507, pp. 78-89 ; 3/1905). — A full critical revision of this species, 

 commonly known as A. acris, its synonymy and varieties, and their 

 geographical distribution and iconography. — G. S. B. 



Avocado, The. By G. N. Collins (U.S.A. Dep. Ayr. Bur. PI. Ind. 

 Bull. 11 ; plates). — The tropical avocado, miscalled the ' Alligator pear,' 

 is slowly growing in popularity in the northern cities of America, though 

 owing to the difficulties of packing it so that it shall arrive in eatable con- 

 dition, it is, so far, too expensive a luxury for the ordinary consumer. 



The avocado, a variety of Persea, was originally met with by the 

 Spaniards on the mainland of America, and was early introduced by them 

 into some of the West Indian Islands. Its cultivation has since spread, 

 at first slowly, but later with much greater rapidity, until it is to be met 

 with in India, Madagascar, Madeira, the Canaries, Samoa, Tahiti, Natal, 

 Australia, Algiers, and along the northern shores of the Mediterranean. 

 In America and the West Indies there are several varieties, which vary 

 much both in appearance and value, and this uncertainty as to what they 

 are actually buying, besides the high price asked and a misunderstanding of 

 the nature of the avocado, which should be used as a salad rather than a fruit, 

 has so far retarded its complete popularisation among North Americans. 

 This bulletin contains descriptions of all the varieties to be met with in 

 South America and the American Islands, some general hints on its 

 culture and propagation, and concludes with a collection of Creole recipes 

 for the preparation of the fruit. — M. L. H. 



