414 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Erica Haroldiana. By S. A. Skan (Bot. Mag. t. 8835; March 1920). — A 
Cape species related to E. nohilis, with greenish- tinged urceolate flowers rosy at 
the mouth, borne in short terminal panicles. It succeeds under cool greenhouse 
treatment, but is still very rare. — F. J. C. 
Euonymus alatus Regel. By W. J. Bean {Bot. Mag. t. 8823 ; Dec. 1919). — 
A widely distributed plant in North and Central China, Japan, etc., but not 
producing its purplish fruits very freely in this country. In spite of this, the 
shrub, which grows to about 10 feet, is very valuable when planted in a sunny 
place in autumn for its rich red foliage. Easily distinguished by its winged 
stems from other species of the genus. — F. J. C. 
Explosives, Land Clearing by (continued). By C. W. Burrows {Agy. Gaz. 
N.S.W. vol. XXX. pp. 381-390; 5 figs.). — Tree stumps can be split by small 
charges of gelignite. After an interval for drying the shattered wood can be 
destroyed by fire. Boulders and floating rocks can also be removed by gelignite. 
It is generally better to dig out post-holes without using explosives to soften 
the ground. The posts are firmer in the hard soil. — 5. E. W. 
Fig GrowiDg. By W. A. Taylor {U.S. A . Dep. Agr., Farm. Bull. 1031 ; 45 pp., 
24 figs.). — The cultivation of figs and the best varieties for growing in the South 
Atlantic and Gulf States are described. Figs thrive on well-drained soil contain- 
ing plenty of humus and well supplied with moisture. The fine fibrous roots 
lie near the surface and are easily damaged by careless cultivation. — S. E. W. 
Fertilizers, Injuries by Borax in. By O. Schreiner, B. E. Brown, J. J. 
Skinner, and M. Shapovalov {U.S.A. Bur. PI. Ind., Circ. 84, Feb. 1920, pp. 1-35; 
25 figs.). — In 191 7 some injurious effects of borax in corn fertilizers were noted 
in Indiana, and these effects were attributed to very small amounts of borax. 
Experiments were made, and this paper records some results obtained. As might 
be expected, differences in soil and climatic factors play an important part in 
determining the toxic limits of borax in fertilizers. The addition of a very 
small amount of borax under unfavourable weather conditions and local con- 
centration in the soil may produce unfavourable results in the crops. It was 
found that potatos, cotton, and other crops were similarly affected ly small 
amounts of borax in the soil. — A . B. 
Flocculation. By Spencer U. Pickering {Wobnrn, 17th Report, 1920, pp. 77- 
82). — Investigations on the nature of the flocculation of clay by acids and 
alkalis and on the effects of frost on clay. The acids in the soil, which exist 
in the form of comparatively bulky hydrates, unite with the clay particles, thus 
increasing their size two or three times, and these composite particles — solid 
nuclei in a liquid envelope of weak acid — coalesce to form larger masses. With 
alkalis- the results are substantially the same. These adsorption compounds 
are easily decomposed, even by physical means, and heavy rain, by washing 
away some of the acid, causes deflocculation to a corresponding extent, and 
thus the effect of rain in making a clay soil less workable is explained. 
The action of frost is diametrically opposite to that of a flocculating agent, 
the breaking down of clods being largely effected by mechanical disruption. 
It also affects the ultimate particles themselves by depriving them of their 
chemically combined water, resulting in a shrinkage of the particles, which there- 
by become more dense and subside more rapidly, thus forming a more compact 
sediment. — A . P. 
Fragaria, Some Notes on. By C. W. Richardson {Jour. Gen. x. pp. 39-46 ; 
July 1920). — In continuation of experiments already alluded to in these abstracts, 
the author records results of various seedling raisings and observations upon 
the genetics of the strawberry. — F. J. C. 
Fruit Packing. By W. J. Allen and W. le Gay Brereton {Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. 
vol. XXX. pp. 430-436, 517-522, 572-576, 652-656, and 721-725). A detailed 
account of the methods employed for packing apples, apricots, and peaches. 
5. E. W. 
Fruit Trees, Vigour in. By C. I. Lewis {Board Hort. Oregon, 1919, pp. 114- 
120). — Orchard trees reaching an age of fifteen to twenty-five years frequently 
show a want of vigour, making little growth and bearing light crops. The 
application of 3-7 lb. of sodium nitrate to each tree one month before the buds 
appear has a wonderful rein vigo rating effect on the growth and fertility. — 5. E. W . 
