132 



It is mentioned in the report that a The fermentation processes 

 going- on at the bottom of a pond are very complete, organic 

 matter is broken up into carbonic acid, marsh gas and hydrogen, 

 and free nitrogen is probably liberated also. Resistant forms of 

 organic matter would survive, but these have little value as 

 manure." The analysis showed this sample to contain 52'2 

 per cent, of water, 7-3 per cent, of organic matter, and -175 per cent, 

 of nitrogen. 



Generally speaking, the effect of such material is as much a 

 physical or mechanical one as a chemical one, and if used on land 

 of a lighter and drier texture would help in improving it. On 

 heavy land, on the other hand, it might not be so successf uL It 

 should do very well as a top-dressing for grass. 



This article has been reproduced by permission from the 



Journal of the Board of Agriculture, vol. xiv., No. 8, 1907, 

 pp. 495-497. 



Various Presentations.— Gardens.— Kew is indebted to the 



W 



number 



previously represented in the national collection. The donor has 

 been an enthusiastic collector and grower of orchids for many 

 years, and his interest was extended to species of purely botanical 

 importance as well as to those possessed of attractions of a 

 popular character. Consequently the Tring collection was reputed 

 for the number of rarities it contained, and as the proprietor was 

 known to dealers and collectors as a generous purchaser of new and 



orium 



Masde i 



Such 

 Megaclinium, Catasetum, 



were 



I!S?i! ei i u J - numerous species. Among those presented to Kew 

 S,w fo 0W1 p g : ^ ( %%"«'« Binnendijkil B. Ericssoni, B. 

 KnlhZPir 1 ' virescens, B. parvimentatum, Cirrhopetalum 

 A^ralcu^Zi £, ^™ m > Ancistrochilus Rothschildianus, 

 falfZ fZ3 ?* h » : hManum, Lissochilm giganteus, L. Mors- 

 ^#%/f i^ ?? a i i%8for8 '" ana ' Anodes badium, Masdevallia 

 vlZTljJ M \ de ? r . Sa ' In additi ™ to orchids various other 



interesting aroids. 



Museums. 



of 



*■# |^J V,~ i*^ X^ A» %J ^^ T ^-/ JL »*r * W*r W" mm *^ — — " " 



Queensland, and some 



Hyphaene 



from Surat wv. p • f ana tmits of a species of Hyphaene 

 H thfoTd, g'o4n r at W t P ^P*- ° * «* tree/and of 

 Krumbiegel sTinpl^. i ar0da * Received from Mr. G. H. 

 Musmim No. n Upermtende *t, State Gardens, Baroda. Case 56, 



M^?jVZa7™' T, W °° d and bark specimens, f 

 Case 45, Museum No."l eCt ° r ' Botanic Garden8 ' Du] 



om Mr. J- 

 ban, Natal. 



Borcma 



^ a drug stiTre a? *S n " f, 8am P le of the gum-resin, purchased 

 furth, per Dr. Stapf. ' Algeria - Received from Dr. Schwein- 



