40 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [February, 



of the grape that are even in a slight degree exempt from its attacks 

 renders the investigations, the results of wliich are given in this report, 

 of great practical value. The regions in which a moist and warm at- 

 mosphere prevails while the grape is maturing and ripening are found 

 to be most favorable for the development of the disease. Nearly all 

 the most popular varieties are very susceptible to the disease, and those 

 especially which have a rich juicy pulp. A few varieties that have 

 been much cultivated, notably the Concord, are nearly free from the 

 attacks. The most important part of the report, however, is that which 

 treats of the remedy. The report claims that treatment with a mix- 

 ture of copper-sulphate and lime in solution sprayed upon the vines 

 completely protects them from the attacks of the fungus. Six pounds of 

 copper-sulphate is dissolved in 16 gallons of water, and 6 pounds of 

 lime slaked in 6 gallons of water. After the latter is cool the two are 

 mixed and the solution sprayed upon the vines. It was found that 

 there are two periods of attack, one about June 22 and another about 

 Julv iS or 19. Another bulletin is promised, giving a more detailed 

 account of the experiments, and it is to be hoped that it will contain 

 definite instructions concerning the mode of treatment likely to be most 

 effectual and universally applicable. Mr. Scribner deserves great credit 

 for the efficient service he has rendered grape cultivators. Prof. Pierre 

 Viola, who was appointed by the French government to visit this 

 country in the interest of viticulture, worked with Mr. Scribner during 

 the summer of 1SS7, and the report is issued by them jointly. 



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New Staining Fluid. — Dr. Gustav Platner has used a new stain, 

 which he calls " nucleus black," for staining nuclei. It is found to 

 work much more generally than safranin. and is capable of giving any 

 degree of intensity. — {Zci't. f. Wiss. Mic.) 



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Healing of Wounds. — Prof. Leon Le Fort is reported {Science. 

 vol. 12. p. 211) as believing that the impurity of the air has no injurious 

 eflect upon the healing of wounds. This opinion seems remarkable in 

 view of the various tests that have been applied by various investigators, 

 both to determine the presence of disease germs in the air and effect of 

 purified air upon the healing of wounds. Something more than an 

 opinion will be needed to convince the intelligent public that the Pro- 

 fessor is correct. 



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Killing the Yellow Fever Germs. — At Jackson\ ille, Fla., steam- 

 ing and drying rooms are building to be used for disinfecting bedding, 

 carpets, and clothing. The rooms are tight compartments, 10 X 12 \ 6|^ 

 feet in dimensions and are closed by trap-doors which are raised by 

 means of pullevs. There is one steaming room and two drying rooms. 

 The floors of the rooms are covered with steam pipes, those in the 

 steaming room being perforated every six inches to allow of the escape 

 of fine jets of steam. It was expected to begin operations on Dec. 4. 



For blankets and such other articles of bedding as can be saved, three 

 large cylindrical vats have been prepared, where they will be thoroughly 

 purified with boiling water, after which they will be put through a 

 steam wringer which revolves with great rapidity, forcing the water out. 



