NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



521 



journal to another are based upon estimations made when the percentage 

 was much higher than now, the reduction to present figures being 

 probably accounted for by the altered methods of manufacture of steel. 



Beyond this small quantity of free lime there was a quantity of 

 lime so loosely combined that it was fully available as a base, and this 

 in the samples tested varied from 14 to 28 per cent. This seems 

 eminently satisfactory, as all the advantages of available lime seem 

 to be obtainable without the wasteful action of free lime upon the 

 nitrogenous constituents of the soil. 



The quantity of carbonate present was only trifling. — W. A. V. 



Beech Disease and its Treatment. By W. D. (Garden, August 

 7, 1909, p. 383). — This is caused by a scale insect, Cryptococcus fagi. 

 Two stages are known — the immature insects, which may be seen with 

 a lens running about the trunks in summer, and mature insects, which 

 do not move, and are dormant during autumn, winter, and early spring. 

 The insects cover themselves with wax, and in time a thick white felty 

 mass of them appears, in some instances covering the trunks. Spraying 

 in summer with paraffin emulsion or in early autumn with caustic wash 

 is recommended. — H. B. D. 



Beet Sugar : Progress of the Industry in America (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr.j Report Xo. 90 ; June 1909). — This pamphlet gives statistics 

 of the growth of the Beet Sugar industry in various States of the Union, 

 advocates its extension, gives information of all sorts to intending planters 

 and compares the merits of cane and beet sugar, not to the disadvantage 

 of the latter. Figures are given also of the amount of beet sugar 

 produced in various European countries. — M. L. H. 



Begonia modica. By 0. Stapf (Bot Mag. tab. 8258).— Nat. ord. 

 Begoniaceae. Trop. W. Africa. Herb, almost stemless ; leaves peltate, 

 2— 3 J inches long, H-2^ inches wide ; flowers umbelled, yellow ; each 

 umbel of 2 stalked males and a single female ; sepals 2, lower yellow, 

 upper red, with yellow border, petals 0. — G. H. 



Begonias, Recent. By P. Lecolier (Jour. Soc. Nat. Hort, Ft., July 

 1909, p. 450). — M. Billard, of Vesinet, showed a magnificent collection of 

 Begonias at a recent show at Yesinet, most of which were new varieties of 

 his own production and are spoken of with great praise. Among these 

 were ' Madame A. Billard,' double, rose ; ' Madame J. Potin,' double, orange 

 yellow, edged red ; ' Madame M. Carbillet,' double, deep pink ; ' Lamartine,' 

 double, very fine yellow; 'Paul Parre,' superb, rose, frilled; 'Madame 

 P. Pane,' frilled, red; 'Prof. G. Hayem,' tea-rose, yellow; 'Deuil de 

 MakharofT,' blood-red; ' Moi-meme,' brilliant red; 'Ami Jean Bard,' 

 orange yellow shot with red. — M. L. H. 



Berberis pruinosa. By Hort. (Le lard., vol. xxiii. No. 540, p. 244 ; 

 August 20, 1909 ; 1 fig.) — k new and very ornamental Berberis, the 

 upper surface of the leaves being dark green, the under surface silvery. 

 The fruit looks like oxidized silver, and the sprays last well in water. 



