NOTES AND ABSTEACTS. 



793 



While the grape has been studied for a good many years with the 

 result that some 200 varieties can be classed as self- fertile or self- 

 sterile, we have comparatively little certain knowledge about orchard 

 fruits in this respect, and much investigation remains to be done. The 

 effect of environment is discussed in this connexion, and it is recom- 

 mended to plant orchards so as to secure, or at least facilitate, cross- 

 pollination, whether the varieties are self- sterile or not, the writer 

 stating that it has been demonstrated that self-fertilized fruits do not 

 grow so large as those resulting from cross-fertilization, though 

 apparently he does not regard this as true of all varieties. — A. P. 



Fruits, Two New. By L. 0. Baltet (Oester. Gart. Zeit. vol. v. 

 pt. vi. pp. 222-224; 2 figs.). — * Lexington ' is a new pear which is ripe 

 in the latter half of September. It has a sweet and aromatic flavour. 

 ' Bishop,' an American peach of vigorous growth is a good cropper. 

 The fruit is juicy and has an exquisite flavour and aroma. In the 

 South, North, and West of France the peach ' Victor ' is the earhest, 

 and gives the best results. — S. E. W. 



Fungricides, Experiments on the Apple with some New and 



Little-known (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. Inch, Care. 58).— The writer 

 does not recommend the general use of the new fungicides mentioned 

 in this circular until further investigations have been made ; but so far 

 the experiments carried on have shown that with all fungicides con- 

 taining copper injury occurs through burning of the leaves and russeting 

 of the fruit in greater or less degree. The use of Bordeaux mixture in 

 the case of Yellow Newtown caused 80 per cent, of russeting, which is 

 serious. 



On the other hand, a new form of copper sulphide prepared from 

 self -boiled lime-sulphur (10 — 10 — 50 gallons) as a basis, and Bordeaux 

 (3 — 3 — 50) was found to be the least injurious of the copper sprays, 

 the burning being about one-sixth of that caused by Bordeaux alone. 

 To 50 gallons of all the sprays 2 lb. each of arsenate of lead was added. 

 When used alone, arsenate of lead, besides being an insecticide, seemed 

 to possess considerable fungicid'al value, though probably not enough to 

 be depended upon for general use. 



A new iron sulphide fungicide made by mixing self-boiled lime- 

 sulphur (10 — 10 — 50) and 3 lb. copperas or iron sulphate proved 

 entirely satisfactory. It gave remarkably good results as a fungicide, 

 and proved absolutely harmless as regards burning. The leaves of the 

 sprayed trees were a deeper green, and the shoots and buds plumper. 

 The fruit was slightly greener, and apparently a little later in ripen- 

 ing. ■ In some varieties this might be a drawback unless it were obviated 

 by allowing the fruit to hang a little longer. — D. M. C. 



Funkias. By E. Gienapp {Oester. Gart. Zeit. vol. v. pt. iii. 

 pp. 105-108). — Funkias are strongly recommended for decorative pur- 

 poses, especially Sieholdi, undulatn variegata, japonica gigantea, vutr- 

 O'niafa, viridis viargiiiafa , oraia, lucdio 'picld, alhn run riiiiin In , ';iml 



