1900 ] CURRENT LITERATURE 217 
In the fourteenth report of the Maine station L.-H. Merrill (pp. 64-74, 
7 pi.) reports in an interesting way upon box experiments with phosphoric 
acid from different sources. In the same report F. L. Harvey (pp. 131-135) 
has brief notes on weeds. Also W. M. Munson describes ‘ The blueberry in 
Maine” (pp. 164-172, 2 #/.), including four species, Vaccinium Pennsy/vant- 
cum Lam., V. vacillans Sol., V. nigrum Britt., and V. Canadense Rich., with 
notes on their culture ; he reports experiments on ‘“‘ The acquisition of atmos- 
pheric nitrogen and soil inoculation” (pp. 208-212), and he has also a care- 
fully prepared article on the behavior of pollen during fertilization and its 
after effects in formation of the fruit (pp. 219-229, 5 £/.), which was in part 
presented before the Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science at the 
Boston meeting in 1898. In the same report W. M. Munson and L. J. Shep- 
ard record experiments showing great superiority of crop from large seeds 
over small seeds of radish (pp. 158-160), and the conspicuous advantages of 
Sub-watering over surface watering in growing radishes under glass (pp. 
161-163. 7 p/.), 
In the eleventh report of the Rhode Island station Fred. W. Card (pp. 
106-110, 7 #/.) records the first season’s results with apple trees having roots 
and branches pruned in various ways at time of planting. In the same report 
H. J. Wheeler and J. A. Tillinghast (pp. 122-191, 79 A/.) give an interesting 
use of “nitragin.” In the same report J. A. Tillinghast (pp. 192-203) shows 
by statistics the effectiveness of the hot-water treatment of oats for smut, 
and the less value of the commercial “ ceres pulver.”—J. C. A. 
BULLETINS from the experiment stations on medicinal and poisonous 
plants are as follows: C. W. Hyams (N. C. no. 150: 329-409) gives a list of 
cae 800 species of wild plants of North Carolina having reputed medicinal 
virtues. They are arranged systematically under the Latin names, their poi- 
sonous or useful properties noted, and an index appended. It is a useful pub- 
lication. B.D. Halsted (N. J. no. 135: 3-28, ¢ A. 2 figs.) gives an account 
of the plants of New Jersey which are poisonous and liable to be eaten by 
men or animals, or are poisonous to the touch. It embraces much detailed 
and useful information. F. W. Morse and C. D. Howard (N. H. no. 56: 111- 
123, 6 figs.) have investigated the “ Poisonous properties of wild cherry 
- ves,” testing the black cherry (Prunus serotina), choke cherry (P. Virgin- 
tana), and the red cherry (P. Pennsylvanica). All were found to be decid- 
edly poisonous, the black cherry especially so. The youngest and most succu- 
lent leaves contain the most poison, which is increased somewhat by wilting, 
and partially lost by drying, The bulletin is an important contribution to 
our knowledge of the wild cherries. E, V. Wilcox'(Mont. no. 15 : 37-51 
JP!) reports upon the poisoning of sheep by eating larkspur (Delphinium 
Menziesii), both unintentionally while grazing and experimentally by use of 
a fluid extract.—J.C. A 
