AB3TKACTS. 



907 



results are that bees were not seen to visit plants treated with sugared 

 Bordeaux mixture, nor was there an excessive mortality during experi- 

 ments extending through seasons 1900 and 1901. — TF. G. S. 



Begonia *Gloire de Lorraine,' Multiplication of {Bull. 1'. 

 Soc. Tosc. Ort. 11, p. 350; November 1901). — Hitherto it has been pro- 

 pagated by cuttings taken from small branches formed at the base. 

 Adolph Van den Heede recommends another method — viz. that adopted 

 with Begonia Bex. Towards the end of the flowering season the half- 

 mature leaves are cut off and planted in sandy soil. In 15-20 days, 

 without being protected, but at a temperature of 15°-20'^, the leaves 

 put forth roots, and buds begin to appear at the base of the stalk. They 

 are then potted and grown in a good warm covered stove, taking care to 

 place the plants as near the glass as possible. These cuttings produce in 

 the same year fine plants which will bloom all the winter. — W. C, W. 



Beg-onia Vernon {Bol. B. Soc. Nac. Hort., November 1901).— This 

 plant, described as an interesting novelty in possessing uniformly purple 

 leaves, is placed on the market by a gardener named Erfurt. It is a 

 derivative of Begonia semperflorens. — G. M. 



Begronia versaillensis. By — Brunet {Bull. Soc. Hort. Loiret, 

 tome vi. No. 13, p. 575 ; 1901). — Recommends multiplication by potting 

 up old crowns, and using the second crop of shoots produced, as cuttings, 

 instead of by seed. — E. A. B. 



Beg-onias, Tuberous, Propag-ation of {Bev. Hort. p. 467 ; October 

 1901). — Tubers to be cut up after roots emitted and top growth well 

 advanced and in active growth. No loss thus incurred, as is suffered by 

 cutting up dormant tubers, growth not being checked at all by the 

 operation. — C. T. D. 



Birds, To keep off from Fruit {Agr. Joum. Cape G. H. vol. xix. 

 No. 8, p. 567). — " I learned a trick while in the Philippines in the matter of 

 keeping birds out of fruit trees," volunteered a well-known official of the 

 Department to a Washington Star reporter, " which may be of value to 

 many just now, when so many Cherries are being destroyed by birds. 

 It is simple, inexpensive, and, as far as I could observe, practical. It 

 consists in hanging a small mirror on the top limbs of the tree. There 

 should be at least six inches of string to the mirror, so that it can swing 

 about as it is blown by the wind. The flash of the mirror, it appears, 

 scares the birds away. One or two five-cent mirrors hung on a tree is 

 sufficient, though, of course, three or four would be much better. I was 

 told that this method had worked in the Philippines successfully for many 

 years, and that the birds do not grow familiar with it as they do with a 

 scarecrow. Since my return here I find that the mirror scare is not un- 

 known here, and that it has been in use by Michigan fruit-growers for 

 many years. I have tried it myself in a small way, and it is annisiug 

 what a stir it creates among the birds." — Texas Stock Journal. 



B. N. 



