THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 29 



cated to the Linnrc.m Society of Bordeaux, of which we have beea favoured with 

 a copy. The species ot fungi chissed under this genus mostly occur on grasses, 

 but the paper befoie us relates to the spread of the parasite on Malva sylve.strls 

 chiedy. 



PuEVEXTi.vG THE PoTATo DiSEASE. — The application of creosote to seed 

 potatoes lias been found to act as a preventive of the disease. The Kev. J. Crawford 

 gives an account of Ins experiments with this substance and their results in a recent 

 number of the Ayr Observer. The eyes of the potatoes are very slightly touched 

 ■with the creosote, a small painting-brush being the best tool for applying it. Mr. 

 Crawford says that those potatoes in whicli evi ry eye was anointed were perfectly 

 free from disease, v.iiile fruui one-third to a half of those not so dressed were lost. 

 Some of the tubers planted by liim had all the eyes but two or three dressed with 

 creosote, and in this case a lew of the tubers were found diseased. On the other 

 hand, some few had too much creosote, and were consequently found completely 

 killed. This is certainly a simple method of preventing the disease ; but great care 

 must be taken in performing the operation, the least loucu being sufficient to pre- 

 serve the potatoes from an attack, wliile one touch more will effectually prevent 

 vegetation. Mr. Crawford expresses liimself highly confident as to the success of 

 this simple remedy when properly applied. 



A New Double-floweeing Canna. — The CuUivaieur de la Region Lyonnaise 

 says : Amongst other novelties, we have to note a magnificent vaiiety of Canna 

 with double flowers, which has been obtained, after repeated sowings, by M. P. 

 Crozy, junior, hoi ticullurist, 206, Grande Rue de la GuiUctiere, Lyons. It is a 

 novelty and an uiidoubted acquisition, which we are delighted to see brought out 

 for the first time here in Lyons. We lose no time in bringing it to the notice of 

 our numerous amateurs. This reinirkable double-flowered variety of Canna has 

 been obtained from Canna Jlorlbunda grandijlora ; consequently, the firm, bold, 

 semi-erect foliage is very ample, and of a beautiiul delicate green, much resembling 

 that of its prototype. The double flowers are of medium si^e, and of a magnificent 

 bright red colour ; unquesiionably it is a most valuable acquisition lor summer 

 planting along the borders of shrubberies, and ilie like. It will be observed that 

 M. Crozy's success opens out a new field to raisers of seedlings to obtain varieties of 

 flowering plants with ornamental foliage. The Canna with double flowers is not only 

 a plant of great interest in a horticultural point of view, but it is just the sort of 

 taking novelty caiuulated to give au impetus to the horticultural trades of the 

 Lyonnais. 



Effects of C'o>l-Gas on Tkeis.— Some experiments have been recently made 

 in the Botanic Gardens at Berlin lo sijow the efiects of coal-gas on trees. From the 

 report in the Mumteur Scientijique we learn that a maple and two lime-trees, 

 whose stems were respectively ii^ and 5 inches in diameter, were exposed to the 

 action of ordinary illuminating ga-, which was brought to within 3 or 4 feet of 

 their roots by a gas-pipe teiiuinating ia two small branches, and the whole being 

 sunk 2^ feet below the surface oi the ground. One of the lime-trees was thus dosed 

 at the roots with 50 cubic fett, and tiie oilier trees each with lUO cubic feet of gas 

 per diem. The expeiiments coiunienced on 7ih July ; by the end of September the 

 trees were jierfectly Jenfless, altliough ihe others aruund ttiem were still green. Their 

 roots were dried up, the older ones suft'ermg at the extremities. On the 7th January 

 the supply of gas was cut iff Iruin the ii.aple and one lime, but continued to the other. 

 All tbieti trees died soon after, tiubsequent expei iment showed that 2o cubic feet of 

 gas disseminated daily in oJG cubic feet of soil was amply sufficient to kill any kind 

 of tree growing therein, tl-e i fleets being more speedily visible in proportion as the 

 surface soil is closer of lestuie. 



The Patent Glass-Cutteii is a substitute for the glazier's diamond. A sub- 

 stitute of some kind has long been wanted, and in this simple instrument is 

 admirably suppiitd. It con-ists of a small wheel-cutter fixed in a holder, in which 

 notches are cut for taking the glass by the edye to complete the fracture after 

 the cutter has traversed the liue. Its simplicity is equalled by its efficiency — so, 

 at least, we believe after having given it a fair trial. How much wear and tear 

 it will bear remains to be seen ; but as a new cutting wheel can be obtained for 

 sixpence, and the instrument costs in the first instance only 5s. 6d., there need 

 not be much anxiety as to the possibility of its wearing out. It can be obtained 

 of the principal seed houses in the metropolis. 



January, 



