NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



135 



NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



Actinidias, Some Asiatic. By D. Fairchild {US.A. Dep, Agr., 

 Bur. PL Ind., Circ. no ; Jan. 1913 ; figs.). — Notes on the following 

 species of Actinidia, and the value of their fruits for eating in the 

 United States, are given: Actinidia arguta Miq. (tara or wild fig of 

 Korea), A. callosa LindL, A. polygama Miq., A. kalomikta Ruprecht, 

 A. chinensis Planch, (yang-taw of China). The difficulty of obtaining 

 fruit in cultivation is largely due to the plants being dioecious. 



F. J. C. 



Alfalfa Inoculation Tests. By C. W. Pugsley (U.S.A. Exp. 

 Stn., Nebraska, Bull. 136 ; April 1913 ; figs.). — Records the results 

 of co-operative tests with nodule bacteria cultures, and reports that 

 better results were obtained by inoculation with soil from old alfalfa 

 (lucerne) fields than by the use of liquid cultures. — F. J. C. 



Alisma, Hybrids of. By Professor Dr. H. Gluck [Beih. Bot. 

 Cent. XXX., Abt. 2, Heft 2. pp. 124-137 ; 2 plates and 24 figs.).— This 

 paper gives a very full description with copious illustrations of the 

 hybrids (both ways) of Alisma Plantago and Alisma (or Echinodorus) 

 ranunculoides. The A. Plantago X ranunculoides form was found 

 by him at Holland Arms, Anglesey, Turlochmoor, and between this 

 and Tuam in Ireland ; was also seen in Marshall's herbarium (Fearn 

 and Balintone) from Scotland. It is very like Plantago in inflorescence, 

 flower, carpel, and fruit, but the fruit wall is intermediate. 



The ranunculoides X Plantago hybrid in branching, peduncle, 

 carpel, and fruit resembles ranunculoides. — G. F. S. E. 



Alpines, Mulching of [Garden, March 8, 1913 ; p. 120). — In 

 many parts of the country alpines suffer much from the parching 

 March winds. Mulching with small chips, gravel, or rough grit 

 I to 2 inches deep has given wonderfully beneficial results. The 

 mulch should be added gradually, so as to allow the plants to grow 

 up among the material. — H. R. D. 



Apple Blotch, Control of. By D. E. Lewis [U.S.A. Agr. Exp. 

 Stn., Kansas, Bull. 196, Dec. 1913, pp. 521-574; 21 figs.). — This 

 disease is caused by a fungus [Phyllosticta solitaria) which attacks 

 twigs, leaves, and fruit. Spraying tests during seasons 1910-1913 

 were carried out with marked results. Bordeaux mixture (3 lb. 

 bluestone, 4 lime, 50 gallons water) was found to eradicate the disease 

 from orchards in from four to six years if spraying is done with 

 thoroughness. Pruning was also of considerable value. — A. B. 



