262 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



5 figs.). — The grape-root worm {Fidia viticida Walsh) proves very 

 destructive in many parts of the States. The fact that the mature 

 beetle feeds on the foliage led to the use of a poison-spray as a means of 

 lessening the pest. Arsenate of lead (4 lb. of the arsenate to 50 galls, 

 of water) was used, and it is reported that the beetle can be effectively 

 fought and controlled by a poison- spray. 



A new enemy in the form of a small gnat (Cecidomyia), apparently 

 allied to the pear-midge, was found in the blossom-buds of vines in 

 neglected orchards. Flowers attacked never open, but become somewhat 

 enlarged, and finally shrivel and fall when tlie maggot leaves them. It 

 is not thought that this pest will prove very troublesome except in 

 uncared-for vineyards. — F. J. C. 



Harebells, Mountain (Leading article, Garden, No. 1783, p. 33 ; 

 Jan. 20, 1906). — Our common English harebell, and other nearly allied 

 kinds, thrive and flower freely, though in a very dwarf state, among grass 

 that is frequently mown. In the rock-garden all the mountain harebells 

 are easy of culture, and the few that may perish on the level ground 

 in heavy soils endure long in dry crevices of reck ; some of them, like 

 C. frag His and C. yarganica, ha\e, when planted on dry vertical faces 

 of rock, a habit of growing equally in all directions, pressing their star- 

 laden shoots firmly against the ine([ualities of the rocks, and frequently 

 flowering and extending themselves thus for months. Erect flowering 

 kinds, whose shoots do not spread freely in this manner, like the beautiful 

 C. pidla and C. Baineri, are best on the more level spots or on ledges of 

 loamy soil. A number of interesting dwarf kinds, like the Carpathian 

 Harebell and its varieties, and C. turbinata, thrive in ordinary sc.il. 



E. T. C. 



Heaths, The Hardy. By J. C. {Gard. Chron. No. 1033, p. 255; 

 October 13, 1906).— In this article a short account is given of these 

 well-known and popular plants, and brief descriptions are given of 

 nineteen species. — G. S. S. 



Hippeastrums. By J. Douglas {Gard. Chron. No. 1004, p. 177 ; 

 March 24, 1906).— A short history of the species and hybrids of this genus 

 is given by Mr. Douglas, and directions as to their culture, and raising 

 seedlings. — G. S. S. 



Hydrellia Ranunculi {Le Jardin, vol. xx. No. 453, p. 3 ; Jan. 5, 

 1906). — A new larval parasite of watercress, which has entirely destroyed 

 the crop this year in Mereville, Seine-et-Oise. — F. A. W. 



Hydrocyanic Gas. By " Anon." {Gard. Chron. No. 1001, p. 141 ; 

 March 3, 1906). —Full details are given in this article of the best method 

 of making and using this gas. These directions, if properly carried out, 

 appear to be most successful in destroying mealy bug, scale insects, thrip 

 and green fly, and insects generally in glass houses. — G. S. S. 



Inbreeding" in Plants, Effect of. By A. D. Shamel {U.S.A. Dep. 

 Agr., Year Book, 1905, pp. 377-392; 7 figs.).— The author uses the 

 term "inbreeding" to include those cases where the flower is fertilised 



