NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



257 



Coloured Glass : Effect on Vegretation {Le Jardin, vol. xx. 

 No. 4G2, p. 154 ; May 20, 190u).— Ripe fruit can be preserved for some 

 time unspoiled under blue glass, and is also said to ripen more evenly 

 in the same conditions. Pure deep blue light has a favourable action 

 on swellings, as it checks excessive transpiration. It also favours the 

 development of flowers, while red light is found to stimulate the pro- 

 duction of the essential oils to which perfume is due, and red screens might 

 be used in the culture of plants grown industrially for the manufacture 

 of scents. — F. A. W. 



Cranberry, Fungous Diseases of. By C. L. Shear {U.S.A. Dep. 

 Agr., Farm. Bull. 221 ; 1905 ; 11 figs.). — The chief diseases due to the 

 attacks of fungi upon the cranberry are known as blast, caused by a 

 species of Guignardia, which attacks the fruit, causing it to shrivel up, 

 the scald, attacking the berries and causing them to become very soft and 

 of a Ught watery colour, and the rot, which is characterised by the 

 occurrence of irregular black blotches just beneath the skin of the diseased 

 portions. It is found that all of these can be kept in check by the use of 

 Bordeaux mixture mixed with resin and fish-oil, provided the spraying is 

 dene thoroughly. Spraying should commence about the middle of August 

 and be repeated at least four times at intervals of not more than fifteen 

 days. Four barrels of spray fluid are required for an acre of cranberries. 

 The soap for rendering the Bordeaux mixture more adhesive is prepared 

 as follows : — 



Resin . . 5 lb. 



Potash lye (as used for w^ashing purposes) . . 1 lb. 



Fish-oil 1 pint 



Water 5 gallons 



Dissolve the resin with the oil in a large iron kettle. Allow to cool 

 somewhat, then add the potash, slowly stirring the mixture and watching 

 so as to avoid its boiling over. Add part of the water and continue 

 boiling until the mixture will dissolve in cold water. This will require 

 about an hour, when the remainder of the water should be slowly added 

 and the whole thoroughly stirred. Strain. Add two gallons to every 

 fifty of Bordeaux mixture. — F. J. C. 



Cyclamen, The Persian. By W. Dyson {Garden, No. 1783, p. 36; 

 January 20, 1906). — The best time for sowing seeds is November, or not 

 later than the first week in January. The best soil for this purpose is a 

 good loam, with one part leaf-mould and sufficient silver-sand to ensure 

 free drainage. 



When some of the seedlings are large enough for removal, transfer 

 them to 2 1 -inch pots, taking great care to keep the small corm half above 

 the soil ; then place them on a shelf as near the glass as possible to prevent 

 the plants from getting drawn, in a temperature of about 60' Fahr. 



When the plants have made four or more leaves they should be ready 

 for a larger- sized pot. Do not give them too big a pot ; the middle size 

 (3-inch) would be quite large enough, as cyclamen do not like to be over- 

 potted. By the end of May they should be placed in cold frames. 



E. T. C. 

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