172 
It is not generally known that on the shelves of the Kew Library are 
to be found a series of volumes of coloured drawings by Miss Turner, 
Miss Hutchins, Carmichael, Dawson Turner, and others. These drawings 
are executed with great skill, and being in most cases accom y 
manuscript descriptions, present a mine of unworked material for future 
students of British algolo 
The puiniogue which is being prepared gives the locality aud collector’s 
name for every specimen in the herbarium, so that a preliminary glance 
at this list will show how far any partieular species is represented, and 
on whose authority. 
Broom Root.—An account of Broom root or Mexican whisk obtained 
from one or more species of grasses belonging to the genus Epicampes 
9° 
Zacaton.” During some years very little has been exported, but latterly 
increased interest fis been taken in them as a cheap substitute for the 
well-known Venetian whisk, derived from the roots of Chrysopogon 
Gryllus. The most recent information respecting Broom root is con- 
tained in the following ‘ Report for the year 1895 on the Trade of 
Mexico’ (F.O., 1896, Annual Series, No. 1827) :— 
“ From the roots of a coarse tufty grass, known as “ cornered which 
is found growing wild all over the highlands of Mexico, a fibre is 
extracted called “ Raiz de Zacaton,” which has found a mau S abroad 
for the manufacture of certain kinds of brushes and whisks. It is 
collected by hand, and is subjected t5 very little treatment before being 
baled, beyond being soaked in water and bleached in the sun. The 
principal "market. for this fibre is Hamburg, but the United States and 
France both take a certain amount. It has never obtained a foothold in 
the English market. The export in 1895 was valued at 67,5997. The 
price, according to the New York quotations, ranged in the year under 
question from 6c. to 14c. per lb., according to quality. * 
Snowdrop Disease.—Sno liable to be affected with a disease 
caused by a fungus (Sclerotinid. Galanthi). The following treatment 
is recommended for keeping it in check :— 
Spray at intervals of three days with a dilute solution of Bordeaux 
mixture*, or a rose-red solution of Condy's fluid. Do not spray when 
the sun is shining. ‘This will arrest the spread of the fungus, but will 
not cure thore plants already attacked. A white mould, or Botrytis 
stage of the fungus, originates from very minute sclerotia or resting 
stages, formed in the bulbs of the previous season. These sclerotia 
inate, grow up the flower stalk, and produce their crop of spores in 
the air. These, i in turn, germinate on the ground, grow down to the 
bulbs and attack those that are healthy, forming sclerotia which will in 
the following season produce the Botrytis form. The great point is to 
destroy the white mould, and thus prevent healthy bulbs from becoming 
infected. 
G. M. 
* See Kew Bulletin, 1889, p. 229. 
