NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



With regard to the use of " flowers-of -sulphur/' attention is drawn 

 to the fact that a mixture of slaked lime and sulphur, such as is often 

 recommended, has been shown to possess a lower fungicidal value 

 than sulphur alone. Moreover, this was to be expected in view of the 

 theory of the action of sulphur. 



During 1913 it was observed that as early as August large numbers 

 of perithecia were becoming detached from the mycelium and were 

 dropping on to the soil. It was also noticed that the winter-stage 

 was formed on a very large number of leaves. In view of these facts 

 it is desirable that " tipping " should be done in August in order to 

 prevent infection of the soil. 



Several cases are cited in which the winter-stage occurred very early 

 in the season, the summer- and winter-stages appearing almost simul- 

 taneously. Such being the case, some amount of " tipping " to remove 

 the winter-stage will always be absolutely necessary, since it is com- 

 mercially impossible to keep all the shoots continuously sprayed through- 

 out the growing period, and no known spray will kill the winter-stage. 

 Early " tipping " must be regarded as a measure of primary importance 

 and spraying at certain times only as a valuable adjunct. — A. S. 



Graft Hybrid, a new Pyrocydonia Winckleri. By D. Bois 

 {Rev. Horf., pp. 27-29; Jan. 16, 1914 ; three woodcuts). — A very 

 interesting account of a mixed hybrid somewhat on the lines of 

 Cytisus Adami, resulting from grafting a pear upon a quince, the 

 result being the formation below the graft of two opposite branches, 

 one bearing quince growths and the other those of a form which has 

 been named Pyrocydonia Winckleri, differing markedly from both 

 pear and quince. It is therefore a new plant and can be propagated 

 truly, which is not so with other similar cases. The woodcuts show the 

 different foliage and habits of growth. — C. T. D. 



Grapes, Preservation of, by Chinese Method. By J. Ph. Wagner 

 {Rev. Hort., pp. 565-6, Dec. i, 1913 ; i ill.).^ — A description of a very 

 interesting method, sound bunches being cut when ripe and their 

 stalks inserted upright, as deeply as they admit of, into sound sugar- 

 beetroot tubers, several in each, according to size. The tubers are 

 ranged apart in a chamber, which is made of wire netting covered with 

 paper and dry soil of sufficient depth to entirely exclude light and air. 

 With this treatment not only are the grapes preserved until the follow- 

 ing March or later, but they acquire an exceptional sweetness, due, 

 it is assumed, to assimilation of sugar from the beet. The experiment 

 would appear to be well worth trying here under similar conditions. 



C. T. D. 



Greenhouse, A Floating {Rev. de I'Hort. Belg. July 15, 1913, 

 p. 289). — A curious note on a late experiment carried out on one of 

 the steamers of the Hamburg-America line, sailing from Hamburg 

 to Argentina. A greenhouse was installed on board, heated at first 



