NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



805 



Mangrove Swamps of Malaya, Distribution and Utilization 



of the. By F. W. Foxworthy {Ann. Jard. Bot. Buit. 3rd supp. 

 1st part, 1910, pp. 319-344; with one map). — An account is given of 

 the distribution of the mangrove swamps in the Malayan ijegion. The 

 composition of the swamps is described and it is shown that this is 

 relatively constant, practically the same species (about thirty in 

 number) being found in nearly every swamp. The greater part of the 

 paper is occupied with a useful series of notes giving as briefly as 

 possible the distribution, common names, chief uses and special charac- 

 teristics of the different species making up these swamps. Some 

 general remarks upon the utilization of the mangroves conclude the 

 paper. — E. B. 



Manuring- Experiments, Comparative. By E. Otto- 

 Proskau {Gartenflora, vol. hx. pt. i. pp. 16-18). — Equal areas of land 

 planted with potatos were manured with ammonium sulphate, nitrolim 

 (crude calcium cyanamide), Norwegian saltpetre — i.e. calcium nitrate, 

 Oa(No3)23H20 — and Chili saltpetre (sodium nitrate). The fertilizers 

 were apphed in such quantities that each of the four plots received the 

 same weight of nitrogen — i.e. in the proportion of twenty-five parts 

 by weight of ammonium sulphate, 27*7 nitrolim, 38*5 Norwegian salt- 

 petre, and 33 of Chili saltpetre. The last two were applied as top 

 dressings in two portions. One plot was left unmanured. Ammonium 

 sulphate gave the best yield; the nitrolim and Norwegian saltpetre 

 came next ; then the Chili saltpetre. The unmanured plot was 

 decidedly the worst. The largest yield of starch was obtained from 

 the plot manured with ammonium sulphate. — S. E. W. 



Marasmius oreades (Fries.), On the Fairy Ring's Caused by. 



By J. Massart {Ann. Jard. Bot. Buit. 3rd supp. 2nd pt. 1910, pp. 583- 

 586). — The author believes that the fairy rings produced by certain 

 fungi in meadows are due not to the exliaustion of the nutriment in 

 the soil (as is generally supposed), but to the excretion by the fungus 

 of a material which is toxic to the further growth of that particular 

 species. A fungus grows, therefore, for a year at one spot, and in 

 doing so renders that spot poisonous for its fellows. The succeeding 

 year the spores which have been shed by the fungus will only grow 

 beyond the borders of the spot occupied before, and thus they will 

 form a small circle. The following year the new generation will only 

 develop beyond the borders of the old circle, and so on, in gradually 

 enlarging circles, year by year. — R. B. 



Melons, Cantelupe. By J. Troop and C. G. Woodbury {U.S.A. 

 Exy. Stn. Pardue, Bull. 135, June 1909). — This is concerned with 

 Caritelupe-growing for market in Indiana, and more especially at 

 Decker, where the industry attains its most important proportions. 

 The writers advocate the use of home-saved seed, but saved with more 

 idea of selection than is at present practised. The seed fruit should 

 be chosen not out of the heap at the packing-shed, but on the plant, 



