NOTES AND A1J>TKA< Ts. 



311 



tion of a new insect enemy, which has been named Porricondyla 

 (Epidosis) gossypii n. s., the larva? of which live in the cambium layer 

 of cotton plants, first found in Barbados, and known as " red maggot." 



m. a a 



Cotton Plant. Weevil-resisting- Adaptations of the. By 0. F. 



Cook (C.S.A. Dep. Agr. Bur. PL Ind. Bull. 88, pp. 88, 1906 ; 10 plates). 

 A very interesting paper, showing that the cotton plant u is in a high 

 state of adaptive specialisation in its relations with its now famous insect 

 enemy, the boll weevil." The author finds adaptations calculated to 

 avoid the weevils by ganeral habits of growth, to exclude weevils, to 

 attract the weevil-eating kelep, and to prevent the development of the 

 weevil larvae even after the eggs have been laid. Different varieties of 

 cotton show the special adaptive characters in different degrees, the older 

 ones being shared to some extent by all the varieties. It is estimated that 

 when the boll weevil shall have spread over the whole cotton-producing 

 area of the States the loss due to it will be at least £1,000,000 a day. 

 Cultivation with the aim of increasing the degree of resistance to the 

 attacks of the boll weevil will, therefore, be of great importance. 



F. J. C. 



Cotyledon eleg'ans. By N. E. Brown (Bot. Mag. tab. 7993).- Nat. 

 ord. Crassulacece ; Mexico. A suffruticose succulent perennial, with leaves 

 in rosettes. Corolla about 1 in. long, \ in. diam., clear red without, 

 yellow within. — G. H. 



Cotyledon insignis. By N. E. Brown {But. Mag. tab. 8036). — Nat. 

 ord. Crassulaeco?. Nyasaland. Succulent plant, 2 ft. high. Cymes from 

 axis of upper leaves, 1-3-flowered. Corolla-tube H in. long, light reddish 

 on yellow ground. — G. H. 



Cranberries. Report of Investigation on. By A. R. Whitson, 

 E. P. Sanstein, L. P. Haskins, H. Ramsey (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Wisconsin, 

 Bull. 119. 1905 : 37 figs, and map). — An outline of the experiments on 

 cranberry culture is given. The cranberry requires a light sandy or peat 

 soil, the latter being preferable for many reasons ; on clay the plant grows 

 well, but fruits little ; on the whole, the coarser and deeper the peat the 

 better the growth and fruit. One of the greatest drawbacks to cranberry 

 cultivation is the occurrence of cold waves and frosts, and experiments 

 show that sanding the surface of the cranberry beds, keeping down weeds, 

 and drainage as well as flooding with water are means of protection 

 against frost. Plans are given of arrangements for flooding and draining 

 the land and for storing water in case of need. Instructions are given 

 for the preparation of the ground, for planting, and for the future care of 

 the young plants. The berries are gathered by hand or by means of 

 rakes, the latter method being the better when pruning has been 

 systematically carried out. The berries, if properly sorted and packed, 

 may be kept in cold storage the year round. A very large number of 

 varieties are in cultivation, and trials are proceeling with these, while 

 endeavours are being made to raise improved varieties. 



The principal fungal disease is due to a species of Bosellinia, the life 



