172 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL H0RTIC3ULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Thisniia clandestina consists of a short three-celled suspensor bearnig ^ 

 a round mass of cells at its end. — R. B. \ 



SauSSUPea gOSSipiphora, &C. By G. Forrest {Gard. Chron. ' 

 p. 85, Feb. 10, 1§12; 2 figs.). — Two remarkable alpine species from 

 the Lichiang Range, China. The illustrations show them in their 

 natural habitats. — 'E. A. B. 



Scutellista^ cyanea Motsch. By H. J. Quayle (Jour. Econ. 

 Entom. iii. pp. 446-51 ; Dec. 1910). — An account is given of this 

 insect which parasitizes the black scale (Saissetia oleae Bern.), devour- 

 ing the eggs. The proportion of scales parasitized may reach 75 to 

 80 per cent., but not all the eggs under each scale are as ^ rule eaten. 

 The life-history of the insect is given, and the effects of its parasitism } 

 considered. — F. J. C. 



i 



Seed Corn. By C. P. Hartley (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Farmers' 

 Bull. 415, 1910). — The increase in quality and yield obtained from good 

 seed makes it worth while for farmers to give care and time to select 

 the best ears of corn (Indian) for seed. Breeding of corn should be 

 studied just as carefully as breeding of cattle, but each locality will i 

 require its own specialist. The seed should be well matured, and 

 preserved with care till planting time. 



In a series of tests it was found that well-cared-for seed gave a 

 12 per cent, increase on poor soil and a 27 per cent, increase on fertile 

 soil above seed corn cribbed in the ordinary way. 



Autumn is the time to select seed for the following spring. 



C. H. L. 



Seed Corn, The Curing" and Testing- of. By R. A. Moore 



(U.S.A. Agr. Exp. Stn., Wisconsin, Circ. 18, July 1910). — Care ni \ 

 selecting, curing, and testing seed corn would result in an increase of 

 several million bushels in the the State of Wisconsin, and this could be 

 quite easily achieved by attention to the following details, persistently 

 carried out : — 



1. Allow the seed corn to mature on the stalk. Pick ears 3 feet 

 from the ground. 



3. Secure well-formed ears. , 



4. Cure or dry the ears, either in racks or on corn-trees for sm^iil j 

 quantities, or in specially designed buildings for large quantities. A 

 certain amount of warmth and good ventilation are essential. 



5. Test vitality of each ear separately after a simple plan (described 

 in pamphlet). 



The county has inaugurated corn-growing contests for young people 

 that will eventually improve the standard of seed corn used on farms, 

 and also inculcate a love of country life in the rising generation. 



C. H. L. 



Seed Sterilization and its effect upon Seed Inoculation. By 



T. R. Robinson (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. lud., Circ. 67; Sept. 



