NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



Germination, Oxygen in. By Charles A. Shull (Bot. Gaz. 

 Jan. 1914, pp. 64-69). — The author discusses the role of oxygen in 

 germination, and shows that, with Xanthium seeds, an increase in 

 the oxygen supply brings an immediate increase in the rate of oxygen 

 absorption ; also it brings about immediate germination. 



Xanthium seeds with the coats removed were found to absorb from 

 2'57 times to 5*046 times as much as those which still had their coats 

 intact. The author suggests that oxygen stimulates germination by 

 increasing respiration. In some cases, though oxygen stimulates 

 the germination, its relation to it is often irregular and inconstant. 

 Sometimes increased oxygen pressure proves injurious. 



There is also a discussion on the probable effect of oxygen in plant- 

 life.— F. S. E, 



Gipsy Moth, The Dispersion of the. By A. F. Burgess (U.S.A. 

 Dep. Agr., Bur. Entom., Bull. 119, Feb. 1913 ; 16 pis., 6 figs., and 

 map). — The spread of the gipsy moth may be due to transportation of 

 larvae and egg clusters on lumber products, nursery stock, waggons, and 

 driftwood which floats down the rivers in the spring. But the 

 greatest dispersion is undoubtedly due to the fact that first-stage 

 caterpillars are blovm by the wind. 



The character of the food has a very important bearing on the 

 dispersion of this pest, because unless the larvae that are blown by 

 the wind are able to find suitable food plants they will not survive. 



If, for instance, a number of first-stage caterpillars were dropped 

 into a forest of solid pine, they would obviously not be able to 

 establish a colony. — V. G. J. 



Gladiolus Masoniorum [Bot. Mag. tab. 8548). — Tembuland. 

 Nat. Ord. Iridaceae, Trilje Irideae. Herb. Leaves ij- feet long, 

 \ inch wide. Raceme i foot long, lax. Spathes, green, ij inch 

 long. Perianth cream-coloured, with pale yellow throat. — G. H. 



Gooseberry Mildew, New Facts concerning. By E. S. 



Salmon {Gard. Chron. May 16, 1914, p. 325). — Gives results of 

 spraying experiments in Kent and declares the superiority of lime- 

 sulphur over liver of sulphur, with names of varieties that benefit from 

 it. Spraying should commence in mid-April and be continued fort- 

 nightly to within a month of picking fruit. Though adherent enough 

 to mark berries, the lime-sulphur sediment is not harmful. Berries 

 iDecome mildewed in spite of spraying when ground has become infested 

 with winter spores. To prevent this, berries with brown " winter 

 stage " must not be allowed to remain on the bush, and diseased 

 shoots should be tipped in August or September. — E. A. B. 



Gooseberry * Poor Man.' By U. P. Hedrick {U.S.A. Exp. Stn., 

 Geneva, New York, Bull. 364). — An exceptionally yigorous and hardy 

 variety ; of great promise for commercial plantings. — E, A, Bd. 



you XL. z 



