278 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Oct. 1905). — Small pots * made of wire, then dipped into melted paraffin- 

 wax, were used. The advantages claimed are that, as the pots are of 

 small size, a large number of experiments can be made in a small glass 

 house, the labour of handling and weighing is greatly lessened, the roots 

 do not unduly accumulate at the sides of the pots, and the occasional 

 toxic action of the metal is quite avoided. Numbers of tests are recorded, 

 and it is claimed that the results of these tests are generally similar to 

 what might be expected to occur in the field. — F. J. C. 



Solanum Commersoni {Le Jardin, vol. xx. No. 453, p. 13 ; 

 January 5, 1906). — The uninterrupted yield from this plant (the wild 

 potato of Uruguay), its absolute immunity to cryptogamic diseases, its 

 easy harvesting, and fine flavour give it great economic as well as 

 scientific value. The Institut Agronomique has recently announced 

 several new varieties. On p. 16 of the same issue of Le Jardin is a 

 notice of a new book by Labergerie on this vegetable : Solanum Com- 

 mersoni et ses Variations. J. Labergerie, 2.50 francs. Librairie Horti- 

 cole.— i^. A. W. 



Sorrel-Spinach {Bumex patientia). By A. Pirlot {Le Jardin, vol. xx. 

 No. 458, p. 92 ; with fig. ; March 20, 1906).— A desirable variety of 

 the common sorrel, inasmuch as it is ready early in spring, is less acid 

 than other kinds, does not run to seed, and shoots out again after each 

 cutting. It is much used in Algeria and Tunis. It should be treated 

 exactly like common sorrel, i.e. sown in March and pricked out a month 

 later. In warm climates an October sowing is preferable, as the plants 

 are then fit to eat in early spring. — F. A. W. 



Spraying'. By G. F. Warren {U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Neiu Jersey, Bull. 

 194, March 1906). — The aim of this publication is to summarise the 

 methods of spraying found profitable in previous years in New Jersey, 

 and the work appears to have been done in an excellent manner. It is 

 pointed out that spraying is no longer an experiment, but has become 

 part of the ordinary routine of the fruit-grower and market gardener. 

 Apples, potatoes, pears, grapes, and strawberries are sprayed by most 

 growers ; cucumbers, cantaloupes, cranberries, and beans by many ; while 

 tomatoes, peaches, plums, cherries, and asparagus are profitably sprayed 

 by a few. The chief materials used for spraying are listed as follows : — 



Fungicides. 



Insecticides. 



Bordeaux mixture 

 Copper sulphate 



Ammoniacal copper sulphate 



Lime-sulphur-salt 

 Sulphur 



Potassium sulphide 

 Formalin 



Corrosive sublimate 



Poisous. 

 Paris green 

 Arsenite of soda 

 Arsenite of lime 

 Arsenate of lead 

 Hellebore 



Coutact Remedies. 

 Lime-sulphur-salt 

 Sulphur 

 ^Yhale-oil-soap 

 Kerosene emulsion 

 Crude petroleum 

 Soluble oils 

 Carbolic acid 

 Hydrocyanic acid gas 

 Carbon bisulphide 

 Tobacco 



* The pots are described in U.S.A. Dep. Agr. {Bur. Soils), Bull. 23, p. 38. 



