NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



079 



Narcissi, The Transplanting- of. By J. Cornhill (Gard. p. 216 ; 

 26/9/03). — The advice of an old Daffodil-grower to transplant when the 

 clumps become " more leafy than flowery" is good as far as it goes, but 

 it is certainly better not to wait until that stage of deterioration is 

 reached. Those who grow Narcissi for sale must lift the bulbs annually, 

 and some amateurs do the same, believing that the lifting and drying off 

 help to mature the bulbs. In some soils and localities this may be the 

 case, but the practice need not be universally followed. — E. T. C. 



Narcissus Leaf-brand. By J. Ritzema Bos (Zeit. f. Pflanz. xiii. 

 pp. 87-92 ; 1903). — A common disease in the bulb-gardens in Holland is 

 known by the name " hot-fire " or brand. The leaves become yellow 

 first on the margins, later over the whole leaf. If the weather be warm 

 and moist in May and June, the effect on the new crop of bulbs is that 

 they remain small and unsaleable. The author has traced the disease 

 to a fungus (Reterosporium gracile) already well-known on Iris leaves. 

 Experiments with Bordeaux mixture gave excellent results — healthy 

 leaves and larger saleable bulbs. — W. G. S. 



Nepenthes Burkei and N. B. excellens. By R. Jarry-Desloges 

 (Iter. Hort. June 1, 1903, pp. 258-9 ; coloured plate). — Two very pretty 

 forms, the latter especially. Culture specially easy. Strongly recom- 

 mends hybridising with others, owing to robust and rapid development, 

 plus merit of form and colour. — C. T. D. 



Nicotine in Bordeaux Mixture {Le Jard. June 20, 1903, p. 192).— 

 It is stated that 10 grains of nicotine to a pint increases the efficacy of the 

 Bordeaux anti-mildew mixture. — G..W. D. 



Nitrate of Soda, Field Experiments with, on Forage and 

 Market-Garden Crops. By Edward B. Voorhees (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. 

 New Jersey, Bull. 164). — A series of experiments were commenced in 1898 

 with a view to ascertain the value of applications of nitrogen in various 

 forms. During the last two years nitrate of soda has been the form used. 

 It was selected primarily as being the standard form of nitrogen, and on 

 account of its ready solubility in water. The market-garden crops were 

 all on land of a uniform character and well adapted for the crops grown in 

 the experiments. Five plots were used, each being a tenth of an acre in 

 area. Special directions as to method and time of application were given 

 to ensure uniformity. Carrots, Cabbage, and Celery were treated with 

 quantities of 300 lbs. and 400 lbs. each at one or more applications. Carrots 

 were slightly decreased in yield by increased nitrogen in all cases. Cab- 

 bage and Celery were more than doubled in yield by an increase of nitrogen, 

 which proved a good investment, showing in the best of the Cabbage 

 plots a return of $9*67 for every #1 invested, and in the best of the Celery 

 plots #39-05 for every $1 invested in nitrogen. 



The best results were obtained when from 300 to 400 lbs. per acre 

 were applied in three dressings, the first when the plants had made a 

 good start, the second and third according to the season and the growth 



