120 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 



the same time the rest of the pollen is discharged. The 

 pollen grains are covered wath minute spines with enlarged 

 tips and these enable them to float. The recurved stigmas 

 of the pistillate flowers form little hollows in the surface 

 film of the water, and the floating pollen grains, drifting 

 into these depressions, effect ])ollination. 



Pine Trees and Moisture.— We are only beginning 

 to understand the causes that determine the distribution 

 of species. An illustration of this is furnished by Prof. B. 

 E. Livingston, who recently stated that in Michigan, if 

 the water content of the soil be 50 per cent, or more, the 

 forest is white pine, but if the moisture was but 35 per 

 cent. Jack pine replaced the white pine. 



Effect of Shade on Plants. — At the recent meeting 

 of the Society of Horticultural Science at St. Louis, Dr. B. 

 M. Duggar stated that shade makes the stems of plants 

 longer but weaker, and the leaves larger, thinner and soft- 

 er. It increases the amount of acid in plants, but greatly 

 decreases their content of starch, sugar and dry matter. 

 It does not interfere with the manufacture of protein and 

 shading is, therefore, especially adapted to such crops as 

 asparagus and rhubarb. 



Utility Weeds. — I have been told, by one who has 

 cooked and eaten them, that the young leaves and shoots 

 of the milkweed (Asclepias) furnish a most delicious dish 

 of greens, tasting much like asparagus. Also, I recently 

 read that the young seed vessels of shepherd's purse (Cap- 

 sella) scattered over a salad, added piquancy to its taste; 

 and that gathered and eaten, as often is agreeable, are a 

 sure cure for indigestion. Will some one tr^^ the remedy 

 and report ? — C E. P. [Milkweed is only one of the weeds 

 utilized in suburban districts as a pot-herb. The list in- 

 cludes nettle, dock, marsh marigold, horse radish, pig- 

 weed, poke, mustard, solomon's-seal and probably others. 

 The wild pepper-grass, (Lepidium) is excellent for salads 

 while the winter cress (Barbarea) is so frequently used in 

 spring that it has gained the name of "poor man's cab- 

 bage."— Ed.] 



