NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



285 



Strawberry Culture and Pine Needles. By G. A. (Le Jardin, 

 vol. xxii. No. 510, p. 157, May 20, 1908).— An effective protection against 

 slugs consists in covering between the rows of strawberry plants with pine 

 needles. These stick to the slugs and destroy them. — F. A. W. 



Striped Garden Caterpillar (Mamestra legitima Gmte). By F. H. 

 Chittenden (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. Entom., Bull. 66, part ii. p. 28; 

 1 fig.). — This insect is a general feeder on kitchen garden plants. The 

 caterpillar is about 2 inches long and marked with regular longitudinal 

 stripes, and is mature about the middle or end of November. It 

 hibernates as a black pupa, and the imago emerges about August. Paris 

 green at the rate of 1 lb. to 100 to 150 gallons of water, or lead arsenate 

 at the rate of 1 lb. to 15 to 25 gallons of water, are recommended as 

 spraying compounds. The worst attack of the pest appears to have been 

 in Columbia. — F. J. C. 



Sweet PotatOS. By W. E. Beattie (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bull. 324 ; plates). — A complete account of the best method of cultivating, 

 harvesting, and storing the sweet potato ; with a map of the United States 

 showing the zones in which this vegetable may be successfully cultivated 

 (a) for market and (b) for home consumption. — M. L. H. 



Tillandsia Blokii. By W. B. Hemsley (Bot. Mag. tab. 8192).— 

 Nat. ord. Bromeliaceae. South America. Shrub, flowering once ; leaves 

 2|-3^ feet long, 6 inches across ; inflorescence crimson, 5 feet long ; floral 

 bracts crimson ; flowers 4 inches long ; sepals crimson, 2 inches long ; 

 petals yellow, 4 inches long, linear. — G. H. 



Timber, Prolonging- the Life of Mine. By John M. Nelson, jr. 

 (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Forest Service, Circ. Ill, October 1907).— A highly 

 instructive paper on the preservation of mine timber. First we have 

 the factors which are destructive to mine timber, then a full account 

 of experiments in peeling, creosoting by open tank and cylinder treat- 

 ment, with comparisons of results. There are eight well-executed 

 illustrations, which go far in elucidating the text. The results all go to 

 show that it will pay well to peel, season, and treat it with a good wood 

 preservative such as creosote. — A. D. W. 



Tobacco in Hawaii, Cultivation of. By J. Smith and C. R, 

 Blacow (Hawaii Agr. Exp. Stn., Bull. 15 ; plates).— A full account of 

 the culture and curing of tobacco in Hawaii, giving diagrams to show 

 the best method of constructing the barns, drying-sheds, &c, necessary 

 in the preparation of the leaf for export.— M. L. H. 



Tomatos, Cultivation of. By C. Potrat (Le Jardin, vol. xxii. 

 No. 511, p. 168, June 5, 1908 ; with coloured plate).— A valuable article 

 on the cultivation of tomatos in the open air, with a list of the best 

 varieties. -F. A . W. 



Tree-insectS, A Trap for. By Baron Henry d'Anchald (Rev, Hort. 

 May 1, 1908, p. 214 ; 2 illustrations).— A band of corrugated paper about 

 ten inches wide, protected by an outer band of waterproof paper, is tied 



