NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



355 



Cronartium rihicola, has been introduced into America on imported 

 seedling stock from Europe. As there is no legislation with regard to 

 this particular disease, the author urges that immediate steps be taken 

 to prohibit the importation of five-leaved pines from Europe. Inspec- 

 tion at the port of entry is practically useless, as symptoms of the 

 disease do not appear for one or several years after infection. The 

 fungus cannot attack bark over twenty years old. The Cronartium 

 stage occurs on numerous species of Ribes, including currants and 

 gooseberries. Yellow spots (the uredo stage) are formed on the 

 under side of the leaves. Later finger-like processes containing teleuto- 

 spores grow out of the yellow spots. It is not until the teleutospores 

 germinate and the sporidia infect the pine that the disease becomes of 

 economic importance. The stage which develops on the pine is known 

 as Peridermiuvi. Young pines from three to twenty years old are 

 attacked, and the fungus grows in the bark, causing swellings on the 

 stem and considerable thickening of the bark. Eventually the stem 

 is ringed and the tree dies. Aecidia are produced on the swollen bark 

 in spring and break through the fissures. They are roundish bodies, 

 yellowish-white in colour, with orange aecidiospores. 



Various suggestions for the control of the disease are given, such 

 as the destruction by burning of young diseased trees, the removal of 

 any species of Ribes 'for a considerable distance round white-pine 

 plantations or nurseries, the prohibition of imported five-leaved pines 

 and species of Ribes unless accompanied by a guarantee from the 

 sender, &c. 



A good bibliography and figures are given. — D. M, C. 



Bpachychiton acerifolius {Bot. Mag. t. 8437). — Ausfraha. 

 Family Sterculiaceae. The Flame Tree, 60-120 feet high. Leaves 

 8-10 inches across, 5-7 partite; panicles many-flowered; flowers bright 

 pink, f inch across. — G. H. 



j Brazil Nut. By W. J. Young {Bot. Gaz. pp. 226-231, Sept. 



1911; 1 fig. and 1 plate). — The author considers that the Brazil nut 

 \ is really the fruit of Bertholletia nobilis, and not of B. excelsa, as 



usually supposed. Full descriptions of both species are given. 



G. F. S. E. 



BPOmeliaceae. By V. de Coene {Gartenflora, vol. Ixi., pt. v., 

 pp. 113, 114). — This interesting family has almost disappeared from 

 cultivation in Germany. The seeds seldom germinate unless they are 

 quite fresh. It is better to propagate from offshoots in small pots 



i' containing a mixture of leaf-mould and sphagnum, in a moist, warm 

 house. Use soft water and give no manure. The best species are 

 Billhergia rhodocyanea (remaining months in flower), Nidularium 

 Julgens, N. Meyendorffii, Tillandsia Lindeni (blue), Caraguata 

 \cardinalis, Billbergia zebrina macrantha, Tillandsia musiaca, Aechmea 

 Ifulgens, and A. Walbachii.—S . E. W. 



