NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



769 



Carbonic Acid as Food for Plants. By E. Winter (Gartenflora, 

 vol. brii, pt. xviii. pp. 402-404). — Excellent results have been obtained 

 by the addition of carbonic acid to the atmosphere of an orchid-house, 

 every sunny day from autumn to May. The gas was generated in 

 the usual way by the action of hydrochloric acid on dilute marble. 

 The greenhouse windows and doors must of course be closed during 

 the operation and for some time after. — S. E. W. 



Catalpas and their Allies. By H. Garman {Kentucky Agr. 

 Exp. Sin., Bull. 164, February 15, 1912). — That the Catalpa is a 

 valuable forest tree and the timber well suited for using in alternates 

 of drought and damp is not sufficiently recognized. The differences 

 between Catalpa speciosa and the better known, in this country 

 at least, C. bignonioides are here clearly set forth, and some excellent 

 illustrations help greatly to elucidate the text. — A. D. W. 



Catasetum microglossum (Bot. Mag. tab. 8514). — Family 

 Orchideae, tribe Vandeae. Peru. Herb, epiphytic. Leaves elliptic- 

 oblong, 8-1 1 inches long. Flowers dull purple, with linear sepals, 

 1 inch long. — G. H. 



Cattleya Mossiae var. Beyrodtiana. By R. Schlechter (Orchis, 

 vol. vii. pt. v. p. 68 ; 1 plate). — A consignment of Cattleya 

 Mossiae from Venezuela contained one plant, which resembled the 

 others in growth but exhibited a marked difference in inflorescence, 

 as can be seen by the plate. The petals are only slightly curved and 

 their edges are not waved. The front of the labellum is oval with 

 a perfectly smooth edge. The petals and sepals are pale rosy red, and 

 the labellum is dark red with dark spots and golden streaks. — S. E. W. 



Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts on Long Island. By L. B. 



Judson [U.S. A. Exp. Sin., Cornell, Bull. 292 ; March 1911 ; 27 

 figs.). — A report and description of the methods in use on Long 

 Island for the successful culture of cauliflower and sprouts. Remark- 

 able and profitable crops are obtained, as much as $2000.00 being 

 realized from four acres of cauliflower outside of freight and commission. 



The soil is a light sandy loam, somewhat deficient in humus. The 

 ground is ploughed in early spring, some sort of cover crop and occa- 

 sionally manure being turned under ; it is then left till July or planted 

 with early potatos, which are lifted by August 1. Potatos are usually 

 chosen to follow as well as precede cauliflowers, although carrots are 

 sometimes used instead. 



The importance of good seed cannot be over-emphasized, badly 

 selected strains inevitably produce leafy loose heads. Two to three 

 ounces an acre are sown, and the variety ' Dwarf Erfurt ' grown almost 

 exclusively, this being a medium-sized plant producing a large, solid, 

 symmetrical head. 



It is usual to protect the heads from sun and rain by tying some 

 of the leaves over them. 



VOL. XXXIX. 3 E 



