560 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



two or three together. It was first figured in Kegel's Gartenflora in 

 1887, p. 593. To keep it from growing too early in the season it is 

 advisable (if the snow cover is wanting) to lay boughs lightly over the 

 plants during the winter months. — G. B. 



Roots, Oxidizing Power of (Bot. Gaz. vol. xvlii., No. 5, pp. 355- 

 388, May 1909). — Messrs. Schreiner and Eeid have conducted a series of 

 very ingenious experiments which show that roots are able to excrete 

 enzymes ("largely if not entirely peroxidase " ) and are therefore able to 

 oxidize organic substances in the soil. This oxidizing power is most 

 energetic in that part of the root where roothairs occur, but is also found 

 in the primary meristem and at those spots where secondary roots are 

 developing. The rootcap does not usually produce these enzymes nor 

 does the older part of the root. Some soil extracts show a slight power 

 of oxidation in the absence of plants. In some extracts . of poor and 

 unproductive soils, substances occur which interfere with the oxidizing 

 action of roots. These bodies may be sometimes removed by treating with 

 an absorbing agent such as lampblack or by distillation. The oxidation 

 was most vigorous in extracts of productive soils. Fertilizers such as 

 nitrate of soda accelerate the process of oxidation and may even enable 

 the plants to overcome the effects of the poisonous organic substances, 

 which latter interfere seriously with the oxidizing activity of the roots. 

 The reader must refer to the original paper for details as to the chemical 

 methods employed. — G. F. S.-JS. 



Rose, White Killarney. By A. L, Squire (Le Jard,, vol. xxiii. 

 No. 538, p. 216 ; July 20, 1909). — This lovely rose, which compares with 

 Frau Earl Druschki and Kaiserin Augusta Victoria, has been produced 

 by the Waban Rose Company, U.S.A. It is said to be hardier than 

 Killarney, with larger and more perfect flowers and bigger petals. Bud 

 greenish white, cream or ivory when expanded. — F. A. W. 



Roses, Cross Fertilization Of. By Walter Eastlea (Garden, July 

 81, 1909, p. 372). — The writer advises that this should be done under 

 glass, the seed parents being grown in pots ; the flower to be fertilized is to 

 be denuded of its petals when in the bud stage, before the pollen is formed. 

 After fertilization the bloom is enclosed in a paper bag for two or three 

 weeks. The seeds will hang on the plant till November, when they should 

 be gathered and placed in pots of damp sand until sown, which should 

 be done in December, the seedlings appearing in two or three months. 



H. B. D. 



Roses, New. By P. Described and illustrated with figures. 



• Mme. Melanie Soupert ' ; Garden, April 10, 1909, p. 177. 

 ' Rhea Reid ' „ April 17, 1909, p. 191. 

 ' Wedding Bells ' „ April 24, 1909, p. 203. 



• White Killarney ' „ May 8, 1909, p. 229. 

 ' Lyon Rose ' „ June 5, 1909, p. 276. 

 ' Juliet ' „ August 7, 1909, p. 386. 



H. B. D. 



