HORTICULTURE. 237 



Some effects of selection on the production of alkaloids in belladonna, 

 A. F. SiEVEKS {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 306 (1915), pp. 20, figs. 10).— In a previous 

 iDvestij^atiou a wide range of variation was found in tlie allialoidal content of 

 belladonna plants (E. S. R., 30, p. 44). Tlie present work was undertaken to 

 determine wlietlier the characteristic of alkaloid production is transmissible 

 to the progeny thx'ough seed and whether the character is changed by vegetative 

 propagation. Consideration is given to selection of typical plants, method of 

 controlling pollination, first generation plants from cross-pollinated parents, 

 comparison of Fi plants from cross-pollinated and close-pollinated parents, 

 second generation plants from cross-pollination, and reproduction of selected 

 plants from cuttings. 



The results thus far show that Fi plants from seed of cross-pollinated selected 

 individuals display the characteristic of the maternal parent with regard to 

 alkaloid productivity. This condition is generally true for at least two suc- 

 cessive seasons. Close pollination of the parent plant has shown only a mod- 

 erate influence on the transmission of this characteristic. 



Second-generation plants from cross-pollination have been grown at widely 

 separated places, including Arlington, Va., Madison, Wis., and Timmonsville, 

 S. C. At all three stations the plants have shown the relative alkaloid- 

 producing tendencies evident in the original parent plant and the generation 

 preceding. On the other hand, certain conditions of locality appear to affect the 

 general quality of alkaloids produced. For example, two pickings from ]\Iadi- 

 son. Wis., yielded more alkaloids than those at Arlington. Nothing definite 

 developed to indicate that a relationship exists between the amount of precipi- 

 tation and sunshine and percentage of alkaloids produced. Plants grown from 

 cuttings showed a marked tendency to remain true to type. 



The cultivation and distillation of wormwood in Wisconsin, E. Kkemees 

 {Bui. Univ. Wis. No. 73S (1914), pp. 32-45, figs. 9).— A popular account of the 

 wormwood oil industry in Wisconsin based upon a survey of the industry 

 conducted under the direction of the Pharmaceutical Experiment Station. 



Changes of color and structure of flowers by removing sunlight at selected 

 hours, H. E. Rawson (Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc, 41 {1915), No. 1, pp. 42-46). — ^As 

 a result of the experiments here described the author comes to the conclusion 

 that both color changes and structural changes in flowers may be brought about 

 and fixed in succeeding generations by exposure to some particular form of 

 sunlight. Generally speaking it appears that low sun promotes yellows, middle 

 sun reds, and high sun purples, with special reference to latitude and climate 

 in England. 



On pressing flowers to retain their colors, C. F. Fothergill {Jour. Roy. 

 Hort. Soc, 41 {1915), No. 1, pp. 40, 41)- — The important feature of the method 

 of pressing here described consists of the use of layers of cotton batting sup- 

 ported by wire meshes, instead of the usual blotting paper and boards. This 

 permits of a rapid drying out of the flowers before the pigment is decomposed. 



The evolution of the cultivated chrysanthemum {Missouri Bat. Gard. Bui., 

 3 {1915), No. 10, pp. 123-126, pi. 1).—A short popular account. 



Garden gladioli, A. C. Hottes {Jour. Heredity, 6 {1915), No. 11, pp. 499-504, 

 figs. 3). — This comprises a short discussion of plant breeding work in connec- 

 tion with the development of the present forms of cultivated gladioli. 



The inheritance of doubleness in Matthiola and Petunia. — I, The hypo- 

 theses, H. B. Feost {Amer. Nat., 49 {1915), No. 5S6, pp. 623-636, fig. i).— A 

 review of the literature of the subject with bibliography appended. 



Specific and varietal characters in annual sunflowers, T. D. A. Cockekell 

 {Amer. Nat., 49 {1915), No. 586, pp. 609-622, fig. 1).—A critical study of the 

 22434°— No. .3—16 1 



