1891.] Botany. 915 
a large portion of which was made up of botanical matter. The 
microbes, for example, that take an active part in the nitrification of 
the soil were shown, enlarged by lantern projection upon a screen, as 
also were some other forms of bacteria of great interest to agriculture. 
During the two days of the meetings of the Society for the Promo- 
tion of Agricultural Science there were many botanical papers. Thus 
Professor Arthur presented the results of field experiments under the 
title of ‘ʻA Physiological Basis for the Comparison of Potato Produc- 
tion.’’ Many practical points were developed. Professor Beal considered 
the description of varieties of strawberries and raspberries. Additional 
information was presented by Professor Burrell upon the bacterial dis- 
ease of potatoes that is now quite widespread throughout the country. 
Professor Forbes treated of a bacterial disease of the chinch bug, while 
Professor Kedzie still further considered bacteria in his paper upon soil 
extract in relation to development of tubercles on clover roots. 
Injurious fungi received attention at the hands of Professor Galloway, 
who gave results of some experiments made the present year in the 
treatment of plant diseases, while Professor Halsted outlined conclu- 
sions from soaking seed beans to check anthracnose. Professor Green 
considered arsenic and copper as a fungicide and insecticide, and also 
gave the results of a treatment of raspberry anthracnose with fungi- 
cides. Professor Taft reviewed his work with fungicides for apple 
scab, and Professor Pammel considered some of the conditions which 
modify the appearance of parasitic fungi in plants. 
The opening day of the American Association for the Advancement 
of Science had its full share of botany. President Coulter, as chair- 
man of the section of biology, gave an address upon the future of sys- 
tematic botany, and in the evening Dr. Goodale, as retiring president, 
unfolded the possibilities of economic botany. These excellent 
addresses the reader will peruse with much profit as presented in the 
scientific journals. 
On Thursday, at the first meeting of the Botanical Club, Professor 
Arthur explained the working of some apparatus to be used in 
physiological botany ; Professor Halsted spoke of a fungous disease of 
the egg-plant ; Professor Atkinson showed the connection between a 
cercospora and sphærella; while Professor Pammel considered some 
conditions favoring the growth of fungi. In the discussion the 
importance of making yearly notes of important species was 
mentioned. Professor Fernow spoke of the value of a national 
arboretum, and resolutions were offered favoring it. In Sec- 
and dimorphism of Hypocrea tuberiformis. Professor MacFarland, of 
Edinburgh, added another chapter in the history of the Venus fly-trap ; 


