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L. Experiments upon the effects of Kyanized Wood, and Mer- 

 curial Vapour upon Plants, By Mr. Robert Fortune ; 

 Superintendent of the Hothouse Department of the Society s 

 Garden. 



A great deal having been said about the injurious effects of 

 Kyanized wood when used in the construction of hothouses and 

 frames, it became a subject of horticultural interest to ascertain how 

 far these opinions are correct and what is the nature of the effects 

 actually produced. Several experiments were, therefore, com- 

 menced in the garden of the Society, of which the following is a 

 brief account. 



In the latter end of March, 1838, two long boxes made upon the 

 principle, and after the manner of Mr. Ward's cases, were prepared 

 for the experiment. One was made of wood that had been steeped 

 in Kyan's tanks, the material out of which the other was prepared 

 had not been subjected to this process. They were filled with the 

 same kind of soil and the plants put into each were as near as pos- 

 sible alike. Each box contained twelve plants, and those selected 

 for the experiment were of different constitutions and habits : some 

 of them being young and more likely to be affected by delete- 

 rious matter than others which were old and more robust. Both 

 boxes after planting were well watered, and the tops which fitted 

 very close were placed upon each. They were then set in an 

 open situation fully exposed to the sun and never opened to admit 

 any fresh air. 



After having been in this situation for six months, and examined 

 frequently during that period, it was found that the plants treated 

 in this manner did not succeed well in either box, but that those 

 in the Kyanized one did quite as well as those in the other. It 



