870 JOURNAL OF THE EOYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY 



Bordeaux mixture early in the season. If spraying is needful as the fruit 

 nears maturity, spray with ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate. 

 Three or four applications at intervals of ten days may be necessary. 



M. C. C. 



Poor Pastures, Improvement of. By T. H. Middleton {Jour. 

 Agr. Sc. vol. i. part i. pp. 122-145, Jan. 1905). — An account of 

 experimental work on the best means of rendering poor land, which has 

 been put down to grass, more productive, and to unlock the " inherent 

 capabilities " of the soil. Carefully arranged experiments gave some 

 extremely important results, some of which are shown in a summary at 

 the end of this immensely instructive article. From among many items 

 we select the following : — 



" Phosphatic manures stimulate into rapid growth such Leguminosce as 

 White Clover (TrifoUum repens), Suckling Clover (T. minus), and Medick 

 (Medicago lupulina), which are almost everywhere present in a starved, 

 undeveloped state in barren pastures. These soon cover the soil and in 

 many ways improve its quality. In the third or fourth year GraminecB 

 begin to spread rapidly in the improved soil, the Leguminosce at the same 

 time diminish, and the pasture assumes a mixed character. The presence 

 of lime greatly assists the spread of grasses. For the first few years the 

 available potash of a clay soil appears to supply the needs of the 

 Leguminosce. After a time, possibly in from four to six years on ordinary 

 poor pastures, potash manures become necessary." 



Specific directions for the treatment of poor pastures are given. 

 These directions are based on the following considerations, among 

 others : " (1) The greater the development of the Leguminosce during 

 the first three years, the greater will be the ultimate improvement. 

 (2) The growth of clovers is much hindered by competition with grasses ; 

 therefore any treatment likely to stimulate grasses must be avoided for 

 the first two years." (6) "Cases of the failure of phosphatic manures on 

 soils are considered, and it is shown that failures may be due to (i.) absence 

 of Leguminosce ; (ii.) absence of conditions suitable for the active growth 

 and full development of Leguminosce, such as insufficient supply of 

 moisture, injury to runners and roots through cracking of the surface 

 soil, competition with the grasses of the old turf, or lack of available 

 potash." — F. J. B. 



PotatOS. By Taft and Dean (Agr. Exp. Stn. Michigan, Bull. 214). — 

 For the trials the crop was very free from Potato scab owing to the seed 

 being treated with corrosive sublimate (one ounce in 16 gallons of water) 

 for about forty minutes before planting : 150 varieties were grown, using 

 2 11). for each sort, making 25 sets planted in rows 3h feet apart. Each 

 variety was given forty feet of space in the rows ; the seed was covered 

 about five inches deep, each medium-sized tuber giving four pieces ; one 

 piece was used for each hill of the heaviest croppers. 1 Columbia ' yielded 

 at the rate of 285 bushels of the best quality tubers, and ' Prize Market ' 

 855 bushels.— 0. II. H. 



PotatOS, Abnormal. By R. A. Thallmayer (Nat. Zeit. Land- Foi st. 

 ii. pp. 1-18 ; 2 figs. ; 1904). — The abnormality is common, and consists in 



