THE PLANT WOELD 249 



fessor Schlotterbeck has named the others adhimiue and adlurnidine. 

 From the celandine he has extracted the [)oisons which he has called 

 stylophine and disphylline, and from the Japanese celandine the poison 

 bacconidine, besides one as yet unnamed. 



On November 6 a correspondent counted 26 species of plants in 

 bloom at Bluemont, Va., at about 1,000 feet altitude. This is a remark- 

 able number, even for the latitude of Virginia. The list of species was 

 kindly furnished us, and will be retained for reference. 



The practical utility of thorough scientific investigation of agricul- 

 tural problems is nowhere better demonstrated than in the work of the 

 Department of Agriculture in the broad field of physiology and 

 pathology. 



Pear blight has been especially severe lately in southern and 

 Pacific coast States. A large field demonstration made last year in 

 Texas resulted in saving four to five thousand bushels of fruit in the 

 treated orchard. The " little peach " disease is rapidly spreading, and 

 the department recommends immediate destruction of diseased trees. 

 One of the worst diseases the apple grower has to contend with is bitter 

 rot. Recent discoveries by the department will, the Secretary thinks, 

 ejEfect a thorough control of the disease, if thej do not prevent it en- 

 tirely. The study of the diseases of various trees has been taken up 

 conjointly with the Bureau of Forestry. A careful study of various 

 methods of preserving wood was also begun, and much valuable infor- 

 mation obtained. 



As we go to press the meetings of the American Association for the 

 Advancement of Science and allied societies are being held in Washing- 

 ton, with an attendance of nearly 1500 scientists from all parts of the 

 country. All indications point to a most successful meeting, although 

 many of the programs are too crowded to afford much satisfaction. 

 Botany is well represented through Section G, the Botanical Society of 

 America, the Society of Plant Morphology, and the Botanical Club of 

 the Association. 



Professor L. M. Underwood, of Columbia University, will spend his 

 sabbatical year in the West Indies continuing his Studies among trop- 

 ical ferns. He goes first to Jamaica, thence to eastern Cuba, returning 

 to Jamaica in the late spring. 



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