NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



271 



crop was greatly increased, and generally the greater the number of 

 sprayings (up to five were given) the better the result ; the expense was 

 more than repaid by the increase in yield. The writers do not consider 

 that the Bordeaux mixture is the direct cause of the increased yield, 

 but that it acts only by keeping the foliage free from disease, and 

 therefore green longer. This view is somewhat in opposition to the state- 

 ment frequently made, viz. that an increased yield results from the use 

 of Bordeaux mixture, whether " blight " is present or not. — F. J. C. 



Primula obconica grandiflora robusta [Le Jardin, vol. xx. 

 No. 453, p. 12 ; figure ; January 5, 1906). — MM. Rivoire have recently 

 introduced a giant variety of this plant, which they first brought out in 

 France in 1888. The flowers are nearly five centimetres (2 inches) in 

 diameter. — F. A. W. 



Primulas of China, The. By E. H. Wilson (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 1029, p. 191, figs. 78-80 ; Sept. 15, 190G ; No. 1030, p.20(), figs. 85-87 ; 

 No. 1031, p. 230, figs. 95, 96; and No. 1032, fig. 102).— This very 

 interesting article on the Chinese Primulas gives an account of the 

 habitats and the methods of growth of this favourite group of plants. 

 The writer says : — "With 129 out of the 210 species recorded in Pax and 

 Knuth's monograph it will at once be seen that the headquarters of the 

 genus is to be found in the wild and rugged regions of the Indian and 

 Chinese Alps." It is a common belief that the floras of China and 

 Japan are one and the same, which Mr. Wilson denies, giving as a proof 

 that " no species of Primula is common to China Proper and Japan." 

 Short descriptions are given of many of the species. — G. S. S. 



Protein Composition of Crops, Influence of Soil on the. 



By A. R. Whitson and C. W. Stoddart (U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Wisconsin, 

 Ann. Bep. 1904, pp. 193-199).— Experiments were carried out both in 

 the greenhouse and in the field upon maize, rape, and sorghum in order to 

 discover what influence the amount of available nitrogen in the soil exerted 

 upon the amount of protein in the plants growing thereon. The conclu- 

 sion arrived at is that " the relative amount of protein in the plant is 

 subject to very marked variations, dependent on the conditions under 

 which it is grown. The fertility of the soil is undoubtedly one of the 

 important conditions in respect to nitrates especially, but also in all 

 probability in respect to availability of the other essential elements." . . . 

 " It also appears likely that closeness of planting is an important factor ; 

 the more space the plant has to develop in, the greater is the ratio of 

 leaves to stalk, and hence the greater the amount of protein it contains." 



F. J. G, 



Pruning- Fruit Trees. By W. VMook [U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Colorado, 

 Bull. 106 ; 30 figs. ; 2 plates). — Intended for local use, and gives clear 

 instructions as to the kind of pruning required by young trees, protection 

 of trunk from various injuries by cattle, sun, &c. — F. J. C. 



Pruning- Trees and Shrubs. By W. J. Bean (Gard. Chron. 

 No. 1007, p. 226, fig. 89; April 14, 1906; and No. 1008, p. 244, 



