NOTES AND ABSTRACTS, 



307 



Gooseberry Mildew, American. Occurrence in Japan. By E. S. 



Salmon (Internat.phytopath. Diens t. vol. i. No. 2, 1908, p. 59). — The fungus 

 causing this disease, or at any rate a variety of it, was observed on 

 Stephanandraflexuosahom Japan. It is morphologically almost identical 

 with that attacking species of Bibes in these islands, although the perithecia 

 and asci of the Japanese form are slightly smaller than those of the 

 American species. It is not yet known whether it occurs in Japan on any 

 species of Bibes. It has been recorded as Sphaerotheca mors-uvae var. 

 japonica. — G. H. P. 



Grape-vine Root-borer, The. By F. E. Brooks (U.S.A. Exp. 



Stn., Virginia, Bull. 110 ; November 1907 ; figs.). — The larvae of the moth 

 Memythrus polistiformis feed in the roots of vines in many parts of the 

 States, at times doing considerable damage. A description of the moth 

 and its larva is given, and full notes upon its life history. The pest is 

 difficult to combat, since the larva feeds in the root, a foot or more from 

 the stem of the plant. Digging out the larvae is almost impracticable ; 

 profitable immune varieties are not known ; the moths may be killed in 

 August, and it is considered that thorough cultivation will greatly reduce 

 the ravages of the pest. — F. J. C. 



Grass of the Alpine region in Colorado. By T. Holm (Bot. Gaz. 



vol. xlvi. pp. 422-454; December 1908; 5 figs, and 1 plate).— The 

 author has examined the distribution of the specially alpine grasses both 

 in the Colorado Rockies and throughout the North Temperate Hemisphere. 

 Of special interest to British readers are his tables illustrating the range 

 of Phleum alpinum, Aira caespitosa, Boa alpina and Festuca ovina. 

 These Alpine species are more cosmopolitan than those found at lower 

 altitudes, and some arctic and circumpolar species are characteristic of 

 alpine floras. He found also that the habit as well as the floral and 

 anatomical characters of the alpine species are very uniform and simple. 



G. F. S.-E. 



Greenhouse Crops, Soil Treatment for. By H. J. Wheeler and 

 Gr. E. Adams (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., B.I., Bull. 128; June 1908).— 

 Experiments were carried out to ascertain whether manuring with farm- 

 yard manure or with chemical fertilizers gave the best results in the 

 cultivation of certain plants under glass. Radishes and lettuces, especially 

 the former, were found to mature earlier and to yield heavier, but different 

 varieties of carnations varied greatly. — F. J. C. 



Harlequin Plant Bug 5 . By R. I. Smith (Jour. Econ. Entom. ii. 

 (1909) 2, p. 108). — Certain points in the life history of this insect 

 (Murgantia histrionica, Hahn), such as egg-laying habits and so on, are 

 dealt with. From a consideration of its life history it is recommended 

 that this insect should be vigorously fought in the autumn, especially as 

 the hibernated insects are much more prolific than the summer genera- 

 tions.—^. J. C. 



Hydrangea, A Climbing-. By F. Morel (Bev. Hort., August 1, 

 1909, pp. 350-351 ; 3 figs). — Two of these illustrations depict H. petiolaris 



