802 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ April 21, 1892, 
plant bore fasciated stems. Mr, Wilks observed that in this species 
fasciation is constantly occurring. 
The Branching of Endogems. —Mr. Morris exhibited specimens 
illustrative of the apparent dichotomy in certain plants. In Pandanus, 
Agave, Yucca, and many other plants, the dichotomous arrangement of 
the branches is due, not to a bifurcation of the bud, as is usually sup¬ 
posed, but to the occasional development of a single axillary bud. The 
growth of this bud soon equals that of the parent axis, and causes the 
deflection of the latter, so as to give a forked appearance. This was 
shown to be the case in a specimen of Pandanus pygmaeus. In a 
specimen of Aloe socotrina, on the other hand, the pseudo-terminal 
position of the inflorescence terminating the axis had led to the growth 
of the axillary buds, which were lengthening out into branches of a 
dichotomous character. A good example of the forked appearance, 
caused by the destruction of the terminal bud, was shown in a drawing 
of a Cocoa-nut Palm ; while a similar result in an exogen, due to an 
abortive terminal bud, was illustrated by the common Lilac. 
Scale Insects on Palms in W.I. —A communication was read from 
Mr. Cockerell of Jamaica explaining difficulties in the way of carrying 
out experiments for their destruction, as the people there can only test 
the value of a statement by results, and if these failed prejudices 
against future suggestions would arise. Again, since Cocoa-nuts are 
attacked by many enemies, even if a remedy proposed should answer 
for the scales, the trees might perish from other causes. He doubted 
whether scale insects ever killed them, though, having weakened the 
trees, they might then fall a prey to other parasites. Moreover, different 
scale insects have different habits; some, as— e.g., Aspidiotus palmse 
appears to live only on the Cocoa-nut, while A. articulatus infests many 
other plants, so that if the latter were destroyed on Palms it would soon 
re-infest them from other sources. He thinks that all the injurious 
coccids have reached Jamaica in comparatively recent times ; and the 
fact that their parasites have not been imported as well may account 
for their increase. 
Raspberries Attached hy Fungi. —Some canes were forwarded from 
Mr. J. Willard, Holly Lodge, Highgate, covered with black spots, which 
have appeared during the winter months for the last five or six years. 
Transplanting and manuring, and the introduction of new sorts have 
failed as remedies. They were referred to Dr. M. C. Cooke for 
examination and report. 
Narcissus Bulbs Attached by Acari. —Mr. Michael reported upon the 
bulbs received from Rev. W. Wilks as follows:—“ I find two species of 
acarus in large numbers, either of which is sufficient to account for the 
damage. Both are most injurious creatures, and commence destruction 
upon healthy plants. One is the large and conspicuous Rhizoglyphus 
(species probably echinopus, but there was no adult male specimen, with¬ 
out which the species cannot be determined for certain). This is a well 
known destroyer of bulbs. The other, which occurs in great numbers, is 
extremely minute and not to be detected without a microscope. It is a 
Tarsonymus ; the species is most like oryzse (of Targioni-Tozzetti). All 
species of this genus are most destructive. It is only of late years that 
their existence has been detected on account of their small size, the 
transparent and colourless nature of their bodies, and their habit of 
burrowing into leaves, stalks, <kc. I should say that in this case they 
were doing even more damage than the Rhizoglyphus. This is, I believe, 
the first instance of Taisonymus being found in subterranean structures. 
A species of this genus, T. Buxi, destroyed every Box tree in Turin. 
Tarsonymus is well known to be very destructive to Sugar Canes in 
Barbadoes and Queensland, where it is known as the ‘ Basal rot.’” A 
discussion followed as to the best remedies to be applied. Mr. Michael 
suggested a treatment of soap and sulphur before planting, but added 
that it is almost impossible to destroy the eggs by chemical agencies. Mr. 
Wilks observed that (since it is not till spring time when the eggs are 
hatched) the application would be difficult, seeing that the bulbs are planted 
in the autumn ; moreover, Mr. Dod has shown that one effect of sulphur 
upon bulbs is to arrest their growffh by the formation of sulphurous acid 
gas. Rev. Mr. Haydon had suggestefi in his lecture on Daffodils the use 
of powdered quicklime, and although this might destroy the outer scales 
aa well as the eggs which lie among them, experiments with bulbs of 
comparatively little value would show whether the interior portions 
remained uninjured. Mr. McLachlan suggested paraffin ; Mr. Wilks 
remarked, however, that this remedy, though excellent for aerial organs, 
was fatal to roots, but whether it would be equally injurious to bulbs 
could only be proved by experiment. It was thought that if the bulbs 
were subjected to vapourised creosote it might prove effective. Dr. 
Muller mentioned that oil of cloves and oil of cas-sia used as a watery 
solution would probably prove capable of destroying the acari, as they 
are powerful antiseptics. 
Carnations Attached by Anthomyiida. —Specimens were received 
from Mr. Perry, of Tottenham, of the well known parasite Hylemyia 
nigrescens, which attacks the crowns, nodes and basal part of the stem. 
Lettuce Mildew. —The Lettuces grown in the market gardens near 
Ham, Twickenham, Ac., are much damaged this year by Bremia Lactucse, 
formerly known as Peronospora gangliformis, Berk., described by 
Rev. M. .J. Berkeley in 1846 as Botrytis (“ -Journ. Hort. Soc.,” i., t. 4). 
References to the literature are given in Cooke’s “ Handbook of British 
Fungi.” Mr. W. G. Smith devotes a chapter to this parasite (chap. .34, 
“ Diseases of Field and Garden Crops”) in which he observes that “ when 
frame Lettuces are attacked, a good plan for the destruction of the fungus 
is to give as much air as practicable, and if possible to leave the frames 
open for at least a part of one cold night, as a short exposure to cold 
or slightly frosty air will not materially hurt the young Lettuces. Aa 
resting spores are found in old rotting stems, all decayed plants should 
of course be burnt, especially old stumps, as in them rhe resting sjwres 
of the mildew often exist in myriads.” 
Primula Forbesi. — A growing and flowering plant was again 
exhibited by M. Vilmorin. This species was shown by him on 
Oct. 6th, 1891, when specimens were presented to Kew and Chiswick. 
At both establishments the plants are in a flourishing condition. 
Schizocodon soldanellioides. —A plant was exhibited by Captain 
Torrens, Poaston Manor, Hayes Common, Kent. It is allied to Shortia, 
both belonging to the order Diapenseae. A vote of thanks was 
unanimously given to the exhibitor. 
Angrcecum sesquipedale, Monstrous. —Mr. C. Whitfield King sent a 
specimen in which one of the lateral petals was spurred, making a 
supernumerary la helium. 
A NEW WALL NAIL. 
ME.83E3. THOMA3 Fbaxcis & Co., Lion Works, Sparkbrook, Bir¬ 
mingham, send us specimens of a new wall nail. Chandler’s Patent, 
which they are introducing to notice. It is designed to do away with 
the separate use of nails and shreds by combining the advantages 
of both. The shanks are of the usual character, being made of malleable 
iron, but they are furnished with heads of soft lead, which can be bent 
over to form a loop or clip. Thus in fastening the growths of fruit 
trees. Proses, or climbers to walls, the nails are driven in close to the 
shoots and the soft heads bent over with the fingers so as to hold the 
growths in the desired position. The idea is a very old one, bnt the 
new nails are better than the old ones we have used, and will probably 
find an extensive market. Fig. .52 represents them, and they can be 
had of all ironmongers and seedsmen at a reasonable price. 
FACTS ABOUT GRAYEL WALKS. 
Those who are quite satisfied with their walks after being dressed 
with weed-killers and treated as “ R. 1.” describes may by all means be 
allowed to rest contented, but there are many instances in which that 
practice alone would not be satisfactory. Much as I value weed-killers, 
I find that even with their use walks become too much discoloured to be 
satisfactory without an occasional turning, especially in parts where 
there is not much traffic. I suspect, however, the whole thing depends 
upon the kind of gravel one has to deal with, and “ R. 1.” has touched 
upon an interesting point when he speaks of stones being grubbed from 
the bottoms of walks when turning the gravel. In our own case we 
should be glad to find a few within 3 inches of the surface to mix with 
the large quantity of fine gravel above them. Without attempting to 
prolong this discussion I will say this much, that if “ R. 1.” had at any 
time had to deal with a walk similar to the one I have had in hand lately 
I am inclined to think he would have adopted the same course as I did 
under the circumstances. Certainly I will fearlessly challenge him to 
show how one could be put in as .satisfactory a condition at so small 
a cost. This, I think, represents a pretty good instance of the practical 
application of true economy. In regard to the risk of causing a fresh 
crop of weeds to grow on the surface, I will venture to assert that 
9.5 per cent, of gardeners have no fear on that point, as they know 
full well that practice shows the result to be just the reverse.— 
H. Duxkix. 
NATIONAL AURICULA AND PRIMULA SOCIETY 
(SOUTHERN SECTION). 
The Exhibition of the Southern Section of the above Society wa:s 
held at the Drill Hall, .James Street, 8.W., in connection with the 
Royal Horticultural Society, on Tuesday, April 19th. The space 
allotted for exhibits was fairly well filled, but as a whole the Show was 
not op to its usual standard, owing no doubt to the recent unpropitious 
