THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 75 



the fruits have become several inches in diameter all but one 

 on each vine are removed and thereafter the blossoms are 

 constant^ trimmed from the vines and the ends of the 

 vines cut off. In this v^ay the energies of the whole plant 

 are bent toward the increase of the single fruit. Liquid 

 manure is given once or twace a week and at all times 

 plentj^ of water. It is stated that anybody can grow a 

 300 pound squash by this method. 



The Adder's Tongues. — It is occasionally suggested 

 that the white adder's tongue (Ervthronium albidum) is 

 only an albino form of the yellow^ species ( £^. American wm). 

 The two often grow intermixed, bloom at the same time 

 and have blossoms very nearly alike in shape and size. 

 There is a slight difference in the bulb and the leaves of the 

 white form are usually paler and less mottled than the 

 leaves of the other. There is one point, however, by which 

 they may be distinguished even with the e^'cs shut, and 

 that is the fragrance. In Erythronium albidum the fra- 

 grance is exactly like that of the lily-of-the-valley (Conval- 

 laria), while E. Americanum has what one observer 

 describes as a "yellow" odor being similar to that of the 

 dandelion and various other yellow flowers. 



Insecticides. — A former note on insecticides mentioned 

 the method of dipping specimens in corrosive sublimate 

 solution. A better plan, it seems to me, is that employed 

 by Dr. Beal of the Michigan Agricultural College. The 

 specimens are "painted" with a brush dipped in the solu- 

 tion, and then put into press for a day. This is much 

 more easily done, takes less solution, does not allow the 

 leaves to roll and if clean alcohol is used no discoloration 

 is left. In fact, I have performed this operation upon 

 mounted plants without the least effect upon the sheet. 

 In view of the statement made by Dr. Millspaugh, of the 

 Field Columbian Museum, to the effect that carbon bi- 

 sulpide does not appear to affect the pests, it seems that 

 the corrosive sublimate is the better of the two. — H. C. 

 Skeels,Joliet, 111. [The greatest drawback to the use of 

 corrosive sublimate is the fact that after the lapse of years 



