NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



485 



growing the seed a mixed progeny was obtained. The flowers on the 

 hybrids were intermediate, and there was much irregularity in fruiting, 

 ripe capsules and green ones occurring on plants still in flower. 

 Further observations on the growth of later generations are given. 

 During the experiments a nodular disease on the tubers (not '* finger 

 and toe ") was observed and is described. An accidental cross with 

 curled kale occurred and some of the hybrids are illustrated. — W. G. S. 



Twisted Tree Trunks. By E. Goethe {Gartenflora, vol. Ix. 

 pt. i., pp. 17-18). — Two photographs depict twisted trunks. The 

 author is of opinion that the study of this subject will aid in the identi- 

 fication of different varieties of fruit trees. — S. E. W, 



Urceocharis X edentata {Bot. Mag. tab. 8359). — Peru. Family, 

 Amaryllidaceae ; tribe Amarylleae. Hybrid between Urceolina sp. and 

 Eucharis sp. Leaf solitary, elliptic-oblong, 6 inches long; scape, 

 8 inches long, 4-5-flowered ; perianth white with pale-yellow tips, cam- 

 panulate, basal tube pale yellow, 7 inches ; limb 1-| inch long, 2 inches 

 across. — G. H. 



Varieties, Horticultural. The Genesis of, and Mendel's Law. 



By G. Molon {Pom. Frang., Supplement to; 1910; 32 pp.).— The 

 well-known Pomologist cf Milan gives a long account of the various 

 theories held by Van Mons, Poiteau, Gallisio, &c., upon the origin of 

 horticultural varieties, and concludes with a statement of Mendel's 

 law, illustrated by diagrams. No original work is brought forward. 



E.A.Bd. 



Varieties, New, to be obtained by Mutilation (Joiir. Soc. Nat. 

 Hort. Fr., ser. iv., vol. xii. May 1911, p. 231). — An account has 

 already been published of a curious case in which in consequence of 

 serious mutilation of a bed of Zinnias (see Jour. R.H.S. xxxvi. p. 848) 

 the later flowers all appeared not only different in colour but actually 

 altered in structure. M. Paul Becquerel has been making further 

 experiments to see whether by means of mutilation fixed new varieties 

 may be obtained. He is now of opinion that sports produced in such a 

 manner cannot be fixed and are really only a reversion to the character 

 of some earlier source of cross-fertilization. Mutilation may, there- 

 fore, be useful as a means of determining questions of parentage. — 



M. L. H. 



Veg-etable-g'rowing' in OregfOn. Arthur G. B. Bouquet {U.S.A. 

 Agr. Exp. Sin., Oregon, Bull. 109, Oct. 1910; plates). — A preliminary 

 report on vegetable culture in Oregon, where it is rapidly spreading. 

 The report includes a short account of the conditions of this State as 

 they affect the industry, and suggestions as to suitable methods of 

 raising some of the more important vegetable crops. — M. L. H. 



