HORTICULTURE. 439 



entire year) are advertised to produce three distinct and desirahle shades in Mrs. 

 Col. Goodman. Mere position (in pots. beds, or benches) should not in itself make 

 a difference, but in practice it does. The effect of shade is variously stated. And, 

 most complicated of all, the food factor is known to influence color, but just how is 

 a mystery." 



Two of the factors were tested, namely, "whether shading the flower 

 beds would make the flowers a lighter or darker pink, and whether a 

 liberal supply of nitrogen would weaken or deepen the colors." In the 

 shading test U4 plants were exposed to the sunlight at every stage of 

 their growth, and 36 were shaded by means of a rather heavy coat of 

 whitewash applied to the glass directly over them. The flowers of some 

 varieties had begun to open before the whitewash was applied, while 

 the flower buds of other varieties were about the size of marbles when 

 shading was begun. The shading was continued until the flowering 

 season was over. In the nitrogen experiment 23 plants were given the 

 ordinary amount of nitrogen and 37 plants were given in addition a 

 solution of nitrate of soda at intervals of from 3 to 4 days from tiie 

 time the plants were well rooted until the flower buds began to form. 

 As to the results the author says : 



" Shade is said by some to deepen the color, but the reverse was true in this case. 

 The difference was perceptible at once in 5 varieties (Mrs. Perrin, Madame Felix 

 Perrin, Marie Valleau, Helen Bloodgood, and Iora) and at second glance in 2 others 

 (William Simpson and Maud Dean). In only 2 cases, however, was this difference 

 enough beyond question to destroy their salable character, but they are the most 

 important varieties in the list. Mrs. Perrin and Madame Felix Perrin are among 

 the most important midseason commercial sorts of the day. They are so much alike 

 that only an expert can tell them apart. Their peculiar charm is their sparkling, 

 bright rosy-pink color. The flowers of these 2 varieties, whose buds were shaded, 

 were very uneven in color. The loss of color was the only loss, and it alone was 

 enough to destroy their salable character. This can not be attributed to a general 

 lack of vigor in the plants. The experiment shows clearly that during the repro-. 

 ductive phase the forming flowers are extremely sensitive to shading and are some- 

 times practically ruined by it. There was only one contradictory plant among 26 

 that were strictly comparable. . . . 



"The results of the nitrogen experiment were not certain enough to be published, 

 but it is safe to say that the extra amount of nitrogen did not seem to deepen the 

 color in any case." 



Notes are given on a test of a considerable number of varieties of 

 chrysanthemums in 1897. The 10 varieties considered best of those 

 tested are Midge, Geo. S. Kalb, Dr. 0. H. Parkhurst, Win. J. Bryan, 

 Golden Trophy, Elvena, Wood's Pet, Leonidas, Loantika, Casco. 



The kitchen garden {West Australian Settler's Guide and Farmer's Handbook, 1897, 

 pt. 2, pp. 315-341, figs. 9). — Popular directions for the culture of numerous garden 

 vegetables, flowers, etc. 



Celery, asparagus, and strawberries, R. M. Simmers {Pennsylvania Dept. Agr. 

 Bpt. 1897, pp. 836-649, figs. 7). — A popular article on the culture of celery, asparagus, 

 and strawberries. 



On chicory and variations in its composition, B. Dyek {Analyst, 23 {1898), Sept., 

 pp. 226-229). 



