NOTES AND ABSTKACTS. 



553 



Woburn in indicating the advisability of delaying such applications until 

 the season's growth is well advanced but not completed, using it 

 judiciously, on account of its effect on colour. The writer urges every 

 fruit-grower to maintain some portion of his orchard for experimental 

 work, that being the best place to determine its crop-limiters and to* 

 develop and maintain its balanced treatment. — A. P. 



Orchards, Tillage, Fertilizers, and Shade Crops for. By 



Wendell Paddock (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Colorado, Bull. 142; March 1909). 

 — The author recommends the growth of cover crops in preference to 

 clean cultivation in the orchards of the hot, dry districts of Colorado, and 

 deals with the beneficial effects of the ploughing in of the crops and their 

 subsequent decay. — A. P. 



Osoberry (NuttalUa cerasiformis). By E. Beckett (Garden, April 10, 

 1909, p. 175). — This is described as an early-flowering shrub amenable to 

 almost any soil and climate. During midwinter it begins to push forth 

 pale green buds, and for some weeks has the appearance of just breaking 

 into flower. When expanded, which generally occurs in March, it lasts 

 for a considerable time. It resembles a small white Bibes, and produces a 

 dark red fruit about the size of a cherry, but, as the plant is dioecious both 

 sexes must be grown. — H. B. D. 



Oyster Shell Scale. By F. Cranefield (U.S. State Hort. Soc. 

 Wisconsin, Bull. 16 ; May 1909). — Treatment with lime- sulphur wash 

 during dormant period, and kerosene emulsion during the two months 

 during which the young lice are moving about, or with soap-suds made of 

 J lb. common soap and | lb. washing soda dissolved in five gallons of 

 boiling water ; mix thoroughly and apply with spray pump. 



Lime-sulphur wash is most readily prepared where there is access to 

 a jet of steam, or where facilities are handy for boiling the material. 

 Unless steam is available, it is preferable to use the kerosene emulsion 

 rather than the home-made sulphur wash ; but where steam is available 

 the latter insecticide may be readily prepared. Steam also saves time in 

 preparing kerosene emulsion. 



Commercial insecticide firms are now preparing the lime-sulphur 

 wash, and these mixtures are being tested by the Experiment Station. 

 Judging from results thus far the commercial lime-sulphur wash will 

 prove very effective, applied when the trees are dormant. Pumps are 

 being sold with kerosene attachments which spray kerosene and water 

 by forcing the kerosene and water in intimate mixture through the 

 nozzle ; this mixture should only be used for a winter spray. — C. H. H. 



Paeonies, Two New Herbaceous. By Ph. Bivoire (Jour. Soc. Nat. 

 Hort. Br., July 1909, p. 434). — Two new herbaceous paeonies produced by 

 B. Biviere, of Cuire-les-Lyon, are said to be of value. 



' Poete Mistral ' has outer petals of bright pink with full, fringed, 

 salmon-coloured centre. 



'Philippe Biviere,' semi-double, is dark purple amaranth in colour and 

 has a strong tea-rose scent, not hitherto possessed by any paeony of this 

 shade. — M. L. H. 



