NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



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Manure, Effect of Feeding* on, Value of. By J. M. Bartlett 

 (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Maine, Ann. Bep. 1906; pp. 44-48).— It is shown 

 that the kind of food supplied has a marked effect on the composition 

 and monetary value of the manure produced, e.g., from hay the total 

 value was represented by 8*63, and from cotton-seed meal by 118-30. 

 Potash was found to be most abundant in the urine. — F. J. C. 



Meconopsis bella. By D. Prain (Bot. Mag. tab. 8130).— Nat. ord. 

 Papaveraceae ; tribe Eupapavereae ; Himalaya. Perennial herb ; leaves 

 radical, 2-4 inches long, pinnatisect ; flowers pale blue ; stamens deep blue 

 filaments with yellow anthers. — G. H. 



Meconopsis punicea. By D. Prain (Bot. Mag. tab. 8119).— Nat. 

 ord. Papaveraceae ; tribe Eupapavereae ; Tibet and W. China. Flowers 

 pendulous, very dark pink, 4 inches long. — G. H. 



Minnesota, Notes from. Edited by the Secretary (U.S.A. Stn. 

 Bd. Hort. Minn. 1905 ; plates).— As a preventive of black rot in cabbage 

 the seeds should be soaked for fifteen minutes before sowing in a 1-1000 

 corrosive sublimate solution, or in formalin 1 lb. to thirty gallons. 

 This would not prevent root infection from infected soils, but it would 

 do away with all danger from infected seed. It is not only in pro- 

 pagating by seed that the principle of selection is of value. With 

 accurate records the stability of any desirable characters may be safely 

 <shown. To the horticulturist it is often a question of securing the best 

 scions or stocks. A certain plum tree or a certain apple tree may carry the 

 inherited power of bearing more, or more perfect, fruit than its neighbours 

 of the same variety, or a certain branch may always have better fruit 

 than other branches of the same tree. Scions from such a tree, or from 

 such a branch, should be sought for and made the foundation for an 

 entire stock. 



In speaking on chemical manures for horticultural purposes Professor 

 Snyder laid stress upon the fact that plants, like animals, do best on 

 a perfectly balanced ration. In a soil in which there is an excess of 

 available nitrogen, for instance, in proportion to the mineral food, the 

 plants will produce a healthy crop of leaves, but fail to fruit well. Until 

 the particular needs of any special soil are discovered by experiment, it is 

 best to keep to a complete fertiliser, that is, one containing nitrogen, 

 phosphoric acid, and potash. • The maturity of a crop can be influenced 

 by fertilisers. An excess of nitrate of soda, particularly during a wet 

 season, causes prolonged growth and retards maturity. A good supply 

 of phosphoric acid and a medium supply of nitrogen, on the other hand, 

 generally hastens maturity. Hardiness, also, it is believed, can be 

 increased by a judicious use of fertilisers. The paper adds the formula 

 of a hygienic manure suitable for use in a living-room, which may be 

 applied to house plants two or three times a month at the rate of half a 

 teaspoonful . dissolved in about a quart of water. Nitrate of soda 8 oz., 

 sulphate of potash 6 oz., lime phosphate (mono-calcium phosphate) 18 oz. 

 If the ingredients are pure the mixture will practically all dissolve in 

 water. 



