NOTES AND ABSTRACTS, 
555 
Dusting and Spraying Nursery Stock. By V. B, Stewart (U,S.A f Exp. Sin., 
Cornell, Bull. 385, January 1916 ; figs.). — The application of a dry mixture of 
90 parts sulphur (passing 200-mesh sieve) with 10 parts arsenate of lead to horse- 
chestnut, currant, plum, cherry, quince, and rose trees in the nursery kept leaf 
diseases in check. The method was rather more expensive than spraying with 
liquid sprays, but it is claimed was quicker and more thorough. The greatest 
importance is attached to fine grinding. — i% /, C, 
Echiums, Fruteseent. By D. Bois (Rev. Hort. vol. lxxxix. pp. 346-347, 
376-378; 3 figs.). — On account of its resistance to cold, Echium Wildpretii is 
most suitable ior cultivation in Europe. E. violaceum, E. candicans, and E, 
Pininana approach it in hardiness. Those varieties which only possess one 
flower-stalk die after flowering, but certain hybrids produce several flower- 
stalks and flower for several years ; for example, E. simplex X candicans^ and 
simplex X Decaisnei. — S. E. W. 
Eucomis Pole-Evansii. By N. E. Brown {Gard. Chron., May 4, 191 8, p. 185 ; 
with fig, and Latin diagnosis). — This new species, found in the Transvaal, pro- 
duces flower-stems 5 to 6 feet high and is nearest akin to E, pallidiflora. — E. A, B, 
Farm Manures. By J. C. Beavers (U.S.A. Exp. Sin. Purdue, Cir. 49, March 
1 915). — A treatise on the composition, conservation, and general treatment of 
farmyard manures. The author recommends concrete pits for storage, and the 
addition of some form of phosphates as aids to the conservation of the fertilizing 
values of such manures,— C» P. C. 
Farmyard Manure, Changes taking Place in the Storage of. By E. J. Russell 
and E. H. Richards (Jour. Agr. Set. voi. viii. part 4, Dec. 1917, pp. 495-563 ; 
fig. 9, tables 10). — It is well known that there is a serious loss of nitrogen in 
the cultivation of land rich in organic matter. At Rothamsted about one-third 
of the nitrogen added to the soil is recovered in the crop, a certain amount is 
stored in the soil, and some passes away in the drainage water. Only a little more, 
however, than 50 per cent, is thus accounted for, and it is difficult to avoid the 
conclusion that some escapes in the gaseous state. The authors are investigating 
the general problem, and the present paper deals with one section of it only, 
namely, the conditions under which the changes in farmyard manure in bulk 
occur and the character and amount of the changes under varying conditions. 
Experimental work was conducted both in the laboratory and on neaps, it is 
found that if manure is stored under strictly anaerobic conditions and at a 
temperature of about 26 0 C.^ the nitrogen is converted into ammonia and there 
is no loss of nitrogen. On the other hand, the laboratory experiments show that 
with complete aeration there is also no loss of nitrogen, Neither of these two 
ideal and opposite conditions are possible of attainment in practice, however 3 
but we can approximate to the former by leaving the manure under the beasts 
in boxes or covered yards until it is wanted, or by storing the manure in water- 
tight tanks or pits which can be kept closed. The worst method of keeping 
manure is to allow it to be exposed to rain and air in loosely compacted heaps, — 
/. E. W. E. H s 
Flax Wilt. By W t H, Tisdale (Jour, Agr, Res. No. 11, vol. xi, Dec, 19T7, 
PP* 573-6°6 ; 3 plates), — This disease is highly destructive to common flax 
(Linum usitatissimum), and frequently causes the loss of the entire crop. The 
causa! organism is Fusarium lini, which enters the flax plants by means of the 
root hairs, stomata, or wounds in epidermal surfaces. The fungus invades 
the various tissues of the plant, and finally wilting takes place. Wilting may be 
due to the combined action of several factors : (a) Destruction of root system > 
(b) use of food and water supply of the plant by the fungus ; (c) vigorous 
growth of fungus j (d) possible formation of toxins by fungus, Resistance to 
Wilt fungus is an inheritable character, which is determined by multiple factors ; 
considerable variation in the plants of a strain with regard to resistance is seen 
in their offspring. Even North Dakota Resistant No, 114 (the best strain) is 
not entirely resistant with the high summer temperatures in the greenhouse. 
Various experiments are described in the production of semi-resistant varieties, 
A short bibliography is appended, — A t B t 
Flowering Plants of January. By B. (Irish Gard. xiii., Feb. 1918, pp. 18-20; 
2 figs.). — The writer gives a list of over a dozen such plants, with interesting 
particulars about them. These include various species of Ericas, Irises, Prunus, 
Rhododendron &c, as well as Lonicera fragrantissima, Chimonanthus fragrans, 
Hellebores, Clematis, and Galanthus. — E. T. E. 
