ABSTRACTS. 



793 



tubes are made up into a framework so that a complete circulation of 

 steam may be effected, or the appliance may be in sections easily put 

 together or taken apart, and so constructed that they may be readily 

 extended in length or width. Two-inch pipes with perforations ^-inch in 

 diameter, placed about one inch apart each way, or closer, are best. 



If a bed twenty feet in diameter lias to be sterilised, the framework of 

 pipes, ten feet wide, is laid on the surface of the soil, and the soil from the 

 sides of the bed to the depth of a foot placed on the framework ; the 

 steam is then passed through the pipes at high pressure (about thirty 

 pounds to the inch) for about 1 hour to H hour. The soil is then re- 

 placed and the apparatus removed to the next part of the house, and 

 so on. 



The cost of sterilising 1,000 cubic feet of soil varied from #2 to $8.33 

 according to circumstances when iron pipes were used, and $16 when 

 porous tiles two inches in diameter were used ; while the cost of removing 

 the soil to the depth of one foot and replacing it with fresh soil was at 

 the rate of $37.50 per 1,000 cubic feet.* 



Sterilising the soil for Onion growing outdoors is to be tried next year, 

 as well as for other crops. It is hoped that such methods will have the 

 effect of appreciably reducing the number of weeds, and thus lessening 

 the cost of growing Onions. — F. J. C. 



Stock (Six-week) * Excelsior.' By S. Mottet (Bev. Hort. 

 p. 346 ; one woodcut ; July 16, 19054). — Very fine strain, raised by 

 Vilmorin ; compact, very double, with long inflorescence, in four colours : 

 white, brown, pink, and violet. — C. T. I). 



Strawberry Books. By C. Harman Payne (Gard. Chron. No. 816 

 p. 109, Aug. 16, 1902). — The writer in this article enumerates, with a 

 short description of each, all the various books which deal primarily 

 with the cultivation of this favourite fruit. The earliest was published in 

 1812 and was written by Thos. Haynes. American and Continental works 

 on the same subject are also referred to. The article concludes as follows : 

 " At any rate as a first contribution to the bibliography of a favourite and 

 deservedly popular fruit, I think the present article may be of service, 

 hence my desire to place what I know of it on permanent record in the 

 columns of the Gardeners' Chronicle ."— Gr. S. S. 



Strawberry Culture in Mississippi. By A. B. McKay (U. S .A. 

 Exp. St u. Mississippi, Bull. 75, illustrated). — Amongst fruits the 

 Strawberry is particularly adapted for culture in Mississippi, for (1) it is 

 the first fruit of the season ; (2) results are obtained in less time than 

 any other ; (3) total failure seldom occurs. The Strawberry will adapt 

 itself to any soil if well treated, but prefers clay. 



Amongst varieties, 'Excelsior,' 'Hoffman,' 'Lady Thompson,' 

 k Cloud,' ' Klondyke ' and ' Gandy ' (given in the order of ripening) 

 have proved reliable. There being sufficient potash in the clay soils of 

 Mississippi to satisfy the demands of this fruit, it need only be applied to 

 the sandy sections. If any fertiliser is required it would seem to be 

 phosphoric acid. 



* These results were furnished by market growers. 



