NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



627 



will not injure cereals, clover, or lucerne. Dandelions and daisies were 

 also partially eradicated, but not thistles. — G. F. S.-E, 



Weeds: Their Eradication and Control. By G. E. Adams 

 {U.S. A, Exp. Stn. Rhode Island, Bull. 133; 1909).— The con- 

 trol and ultimate suppression of " the plant out of place that persists 

 in growing where it is not wanted " has been the subject of experi- 

 ments at Ehode Island, 



Preventive and remedial measures are advocated, amongst others 

 use of clean seed, hoeing and harrowing in early stages, crop rotation, 

 spraying with sulphate of iron. The last is especially useful against 

 daisies, mustard, and dandehons. 



The most satisfactory results are obtained by a 20 per cent, solu- 

 tion, using 100 to 150 lb. of iron sulphate to the acre. — C. H. L. 



Welwitschia mirabilis. By Prof. H. H. W. Pearson {Gard 

 Chron. xlvii. (1910), p. 49; Jan. 22; figs.).— The author, who has 

 obtained material from its native habitat in South Africa, describes this 

 remarkable plant and figures its flowers and seedlings. — F. J. C. 



Winter-flowering- Sweet Peas {Le Jard., vol. xxiv. No. 657, 

 p. 139 ; May 5, 1910). — This interesting race of Sweet Pea comes from 

 Algiers. The plants are very easy to grow, and come into bloom at 

 Christmas. Sow in pots at the beginning of October, six seeds to a 

 pot, filled with a mixture of three parts good soil, three parts leaf- 

 mould and sand, with a little powdered bone-dust and soot. Keep the 

 pots in "cold frame or house till the frosts begin. Ee-pot when the 

 seedlings are fifteen inches high, and again when they are about 2 ft. 

 high, using somewhat heavier soil each time. Use bamboo supports. 



F. A. W. 



Winter Precipitation, Storagre of, in Soils. By John A. 

 Widtsoe {U.S.A. Exp. Stn. Utah, Bull. 104; 1908).— It is important 

 for the farmer who thinks of irrigating his farm to know whether it 

 is likely to be beneficial in proportion' to the expense and trouble 

 involved. This series of tables gives the result of experiments made 

 to ascertain how much moisture is stored in the soil and carried over 

 from year to year, especially in the upper 8 feet, where it can be 

 reached by the crop. 



Summer fallowing and autumn ploughing do much to preserve soil 

 moisture, and, properly carried out, will often render irrigation un- 

 necessary. — C. H. L. 



Yew Tree, Poisonous Nature of. By F. Kanngiesser {Garten- 

 flora, vol. hx. pt. 11, pp. 238-240).— The poisonous nature of the 

 foliage of Taxus haccata, and its danger to horses and cattle, is not 

 pointed out in toxicological handbooks. — S. E. W. 



Zinnia eleg'ans, Variation of. By Paul Becquerel {Jour. Soc. 

 Nat. Hort. Fr., series 4, vol. xi. Jan. 1910, p. 97). — A curious case 



