298 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



generally known in this country as the " snowy fly," appears to be a 

 more destructive pest in the United States than it is here ; but our 

 growers of tomatoes, cucumbers, and many other plants should be on 

 their guard against the attacks of this insect. In the United States 

 fumigation with hydrocyanic gas has been found to be the most 

 effectual remedy against this pest. There are, however, various diffi- 

 culties in the use of this insecticide ; if used of too great a strength the 

 plants. will be injured, and the exact amount which should be used per 

 cubic foot of the size of the house is uncertain owing to some houses 

 being more tight than others when all the doors and ventilators are 

 closed. Cucumbers and tomatoes seem to be particularly susceptible to 

 this gas. But l or oz. of potassium cyanide per 1000 cubic feet of the 

 contents of the house has been used with success, the plants being under 

 the gas for three hours. The other means of dealing with this insect is 

 by vaporising with tobacco extract. — G. S. S. 



Alg-icide : Copper as an Algieide and Disinfectant in Water 

 Supplies. By George T. Moore and Karl F. Kellerman (U.S.A. Dep. 

 Agr. Bull. 76 ; April 3, 1905). — Investigations undertaken by the Depart- 

 ment with a view to finding some cheap and practical method of preventing 

 or removing algal and bacterial contamination from water supplies have 

 demonstrated the peculiar value of copper as an agent for this purpose. 

 During the summer of 1904 many lakes and reservoirs were treated, and 

 this bulletin contains reports of the results, with definite recommendations 

 in regard to methods of procedure, so that those having to deal with the 

 question of contaminated water may do so to the best advantage. 



With reference to the occasional objection to the use of copper as an 

 algicide and disinfectant, it should be sufficient to state that a careful 

 study of all the leading authorities fails to reveal any argument or 

 evidence which can be adduced in opposition to the use of copper for this 

 purpose. Authorities everywhere unite in defending the use of copper 

 as a means of destroying polluting organisms in water, and agree that 

 it can be used with impunity, as advised by the authors. 



The conclusion is that experience has demonstrated the practical use 

 of copper sulphate as an agent for the purification of contaminated water. 



M. C. C. 



Aloe Orpenae. By S. Schonland (Gard. Chron. No. 988, p. 385, figs. 

 144 & 145, Dec. 2, 1905). — As a foliage plant alone this species will be 

 a decided acquisition to European gardens. — G. S. S. 



Alphabetical Classification of Plant-names. By Ph. Eivoire 

 (Rev. Hort. May 1, 1905, pp. 214-5). — A very natural protest against 

 the frequent alphabetical arrangement of perennial plant-names in 

 catalogues, &c, under M. for Monsieur or Madame, or the initials of 

 Christian names, &c, when it is the surnames of well-known persons 

 which follow and which are more naturally sought for under their 

 surname initials. Numerous plants are named after various members of 

 the same family, and under the arrangement complained of figure under 

 numerous letters instead of being classed under one, thus bringing 

 similar names together. — C. T. D. 



