NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



633 



soniser " are said to be wonderful. It has been conclusively proved that 

 the Charlock can be destroyed at any period of its growth by copper 

 sulphate, but a less quantity is required when the plant is young. About 

 50 gallons of a 3 per cent, solution will destroy 95 per cent, of the weed 

 in an average infested crop, and the increased yield of wheat is more than 

 sufficient to pay all the expenses of spraying. An average farm labourer 

 can be trusted to carry out the operation with half an hour's instruction. 



M. C. C. 



Chemical Composition of Plants, Influence of Environment 



on. By Dr. H. W. Wiley ( U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Year Bk. 1901, p. 299 ; tabs.). 

 The term " environment " as used here includes the soil, fertilisers, character 

 of the cultivation, and climatic influences. Cereals, Sugar Beets, &c. are 

 treated of. Tables are given showing the results of analyses of original 

 imported seed and of first crop of wheat grown. One of the principal 

 seasonal influences affecting the composition of the wheat-grain, and 

 probably also of other cereals, is the length of period of growth. There 

 appears to be a marked relation between the content of protein matter 

 and starch and the length of the growing season. The shorter the period 

 of growth and the cooler the climate, the larger the content of starch, and 

 vice versa. As a result of experiment it seems that the growth is hastened 

 where a high content of protein is desired. By certain modifications 

 of methods of cultivation, time of planting, irrigation and fertilisation, 

 great advantage might be taken of natural climatic conditions, which in 

 the end would produce the same results as if the conditions themselves 

 could be altered. It is stated that a high temperature during July 

 diminishes the yield of grain, especially in lowering the production of 

 starch. Valuable charts are given showing percentage of sugar in the 

 Sugar Beet according to latitude and sunshine, temperature, length of 

 day, rainfall, &c. In warmer climates the practice of irrigation bids fair 

 to secure crops of Beets of high quality, and ought to be carefully 

 attended to. — V. M. 



Chenopodiaceae (Australian) as Fodder Plants in Dry Regions. 



By L. Diels (Not. Konig. Bot. Berlin, Bd. IV., pp. 70-78 ; August 30,. 

 1903). — Of the 110 or so species of Chenopods, known in Australia as Salt 

 Bush, Atriplex, Rhagodia, Kochia, and Bassia yield many useful fodder 

 plants, and the author gives the characteristic features of a series of them, 

 and an account of their habitats and food value, planting, and treatment. 



The paper seems to me a useful one for colonists, and should prove a 

 capital example of the kind of botany all settlers and planters Ought to 

 learn to appreciate. — H. M. W, 



Cherry, 44 Cerise du Bicentenaire." By G. Duval (Rev. Hort. 

 June 16, 1903, p. 284-5 ; coloured plate). — A sport from ' Royale ' grafted 

 on 1 Sainte Lucie.' Fruits larger and three weeks to a month later in 

 ripening, forming a very late Cherry, recommended as a good market 

 fruit.— C. T. D. 



China, Flora Of. By F. B. Forbes and W. B. Hemsley (Journ. Linn. 

 Soc., Bot. vol. xxxvi. p. 1, continued from vol. xxvi.). — " An enumeration 



Y 



