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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCLbyrY. 



It is thought that as fruit-growing becomes more speciahzed, greater 

 prominence will be given to local kinds, as they are likely to thrive 

 better and therefore produce fruit at a lower cost than cosmopolitan 

 ones. Improved varieties are badly wanted, and the writer gives a 

 summary of replies from a large number of growers as to what charac- 

 teristics, or combinations of characteristics, in new varieties would be 

 most profitable (p. 6). It is urged that every fruit-grower should raise 

 a few seedlings, and, if he does no crossing, select seeds from varieties 

 he thinks most likely to produce the kind of variety needed, giving the 

 preference to those of any tree standing near another, cross-pollination 

 with which might give the desired results (p. 5). He should be on 

 the watch for bud variations in existing varieties which, when they 

 are sufficiently marked and valuable, might be the starting-point of 

 new varieties. No new variety should be introduced which is not 

 strikingly better than existing ones in some important respect, bearing 

 in mind that the standard of excellence is rising (p. 8). — A. P. 



Fumigration-box materials. By W. E. Hinds (Jour. Econ. 

 Entom., iii., pt. 3, pp. 394-398; Oct. 1910).— The author shows that 

 most of the materials used for making boxes in which fumigation is to 

 be carried out permit the easy diffusion of the gases evolved. He 

 recommends, as the result of experiments which are described, that " in 

 the construction of fumigation boxes w^e should depend for gas-tightness 

 upon heavy paper, wuth the edges and overlappings securely sealed, 

 as by glueing, more than upon the quality of lumber, the tightness of 

 the joints, or even a finishing coat with any material w^hich we have yet 

 tested for resistance to carbon di-sulphide vapour. With hydrocyanic 

 gas there will be less difficulty, because of its lack of the solvent power 

 possessed by the carbon di-sulphide." — F. J. G. 



Garden Notes, 1910. By E. E. Bennett (U.S.A. Exp. Sin., 

 Colorado, Bull. 172, Nov. 1910). — The climate of Colorado has been 

 given a bad name among horticulturists. This bulletin gives the results 

 of experiments, which show that with proper care and with due regard 

 to local conditions it is possible to raise crops of beet, Brussels sprouts, 

 beans, cabbage, cauliflower, and indeed of most North American 

 garden vegetables, even in the higher altitudes of the State. — M. L. H. 



Gladiolus primulinus. By J. M. Duvernay (Le Jard., xxv., 575, 

 p. 40; Feb. 5, 1911; coloured plate). — The author describes the hybrid 

 yellow gladioli produced by MM. Cayeux and Le Clerc from Gladiolus 

 priviulinus and G. gandaveiisis, Lemoinei and nanceanus, comparing 

 them with the hybrids obtained at Kew from G. priinulinus and G. 

 dracocephalus, Colvillei albus and Lemoinei hlanc. The race shows 

 steady improvement as regards purity and brilliancy of colour, and 

 a more open and less hooded type of flower. The author points out 

 tlie peculiar formation of bulbils in the vegetation of G. primulinus. 

 They dve developed on long stolons, independent of the mother bulb, 



