NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



179 



Rhubarb Weevil. By H. B. Weiss (Jour. Econ. Entom. v. p. 434 ; 

 Dec. 1912). — The common dock {Rumex crisfus) is the favourite 

 food of the weevil [Lixus concavus). The larvae feed in the stem 

 which they burrow, and it is suggested that cutting the dock in damp 

 weather when it is hkely to decay will cause the death of the contained 

 larvse. The insect apparently hibernates as an imago. — F. J. C. 



Romneyas. Anon. [Garden, June 7, 1913, p. 291 ; fig.). — 

 Until about fifteen years ago only one species [Romneya Coulteri) 

 was known. In 1898 Miss Eastwood, curator of the Herbarium of 

 the Californian Academy, proved the existence of a second species, 

 which she described as R. trichocalyx. Both are natives of California. 

 The date of introduction of R. trichocalyx is unknown, as it was culti- 

 vated as R. Coulteri before 1898. The first recorded flowering of the 

 new species was in 1902, in the garden of Mr. H. C. Baker (Gloucester- 

 shire). R. trichocalyx is less vigorous in habit than R. Coulteri, 

 producing more growths, but the stems are thinner and more leafy. 

 The buds of R. trichocalyx are round and hairy, those of R. Coulteri 

 being smooth and pointed. R. trichocalyx does not possess the thick 

 tall stems, upright habit, and the substance of the less divided leaves 

 of R. Coulteri. 



When once planted the Romneyas should not be disturbed, for 

 any interference with the fleshy roots is detrimental to the plant. 

 Until, therefore, the final position is decided on they should be grown 

 in pots. 



The easiest and most satisfactory propagation is from seed, sown 

 as soon as ripe. R. Coulteri grows from 5 to 7 feet high, R. trichocalyx 

 3 to 5 feet.— R. D, 



Root Pruning by Dynamite [Garden, March 29, 1914, p. 154). — 

 The treatment of a batch of young apple trees growing too luxuriously 

 in this fashion is described. A hole is bored about 15 inches from 

 the trunk with a stout crowbar in a slanting direction to a point about 

 2 feet 6 inches deep, about the centre of the tree. A cartridge with 

 a long fuse is then inserted, and the hole filled and rammed ; a light 

 is then applied, and the operator moves away. At the explosion 

 there is an upheaval of the soil and the thick roots are torn asunder. 

 The soil is then adjusted and made firm again. The operation on 

 thirty-two trees took less than an hour. — H. R. D. 



Rosa sertata [Garden, Aug. 23, 1913, p. 417). — A new wild 

 Rose from China, sent home by Mr. E. H. Wilson, who also introduced 

 two other recent additions to our wild Roses, R. Moyesii and R. 

 Willmottiae. It forms an attractive bush, 4 to 5 feet high, with elegant 

 glaucous green foliage. From mid- June onwards for a month or 

 more appear a profusion of delicate rose-pink blooms, 2 inches or 

 rather more in diameter. These are followed by quantities of bright 

 red fruits which hang in smaU clusters, two, three, or more together, 



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