NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



617 



Bordeaux Mixture, Fungrieidal action of. By B. T. P. Barker, 

 M.A., and C. T. Gimingham, F.I.C. (Jour. Agr. Sci., iv., pt. 1; 

 pp. 76-94; May 1911). — The authors discuss the factors which bring 

 the basic copper sulphate of Bordeaux mixture into solution (see p. 449), 

 and incidentally show how " Bordeaux injury " frequently arises. 

 They show that the fungicidal action of the copper sulphate is greatest 

 when the fungal hypha comes in contact with solid particles of the 

 salt, and hence they emphasize the great importance of thorough spray- 

 ing, so as to distribute the particles over the surface to be protected 

 as thoroughly, closely, and evenly as possible. The fungus itself 

 apparently brings the copper which destroys it into solution, and in all 

 probability the action of carbonic acid from the atmosphere is of but 

 slight importance. The adhesive properties of the spray are obviously 

 important. — F. J. C. 



Cabbag'e. By L. C. Corbett {U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Farmers' Bull. 

 483; April 1911; figs.). — This contains an account of cabbage cultiva- 

 tion in the United States, as grown by market-gardeners in the south 

 and as a field crop on northern farms, and the cultural directions here 

 given are varied for each class of grower and for different climates. 

 Soil, fertilizers, enemies, diseases, harvesting, and storage are all 

 treated of, and some advice is given on the economic part of the subject. 



i¥. L. H. 



Cabbagre Mag-g-ot, Work done during- 1907 and 1908. By 



F. L. Washburn (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Minnesota, 17th Ann. Rept. 1909; 

 pp. 196-213 ; figs.). — A large number of experiments were carried out 

 with a view to devising practicable methods of keeping the cabbage 

 maggot, which attacks almost all vegetables allied to the cabbage, in 

 check. The only cabbage which was not attacked appeared to be the 

 "Holland." The most effective of the methods tried, and the one 

 which seems to promise economic results of importance, was as fol- 

 lows : Steep two ounces of white hellebore in one quart of water for 

 an hour, then dilute with water, to make one gallon. Apply with a 

 watering-pot without a rose a few days after the plants are set out. 

 Give two other applications at intervals of five days, and five or six 

 more at weekly intervals, about a teacupful of the decoction being 

 used for each plant. Several parasites are described, and their attacks 

 appear to be important means of checking the pest. — F. J. C. 



Calceolaria alba. By W. I. (Gard., Jan. 7, 1911, p. 6 ; 



fig.). — The dull summer of 1910 suited this little shrub, which 

 flowered through the whole summer into late autumn. C. alba is 

 a Chilian plant, and has been in cultivation since 1844, when it 

 was introduced by Messrs. Yeitch. It is shrubby in habit, growing 

 rather more than 1 foot high, with copious foliage and ivory-white 

 flowers, the pouch of which is almost entirely closed at the mouth. 

 Although C. alha has been in cultivation so long it is not common, 



