57^ JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Soils, The Use of Dynamite on the Improvement of Heavy Clay. L. E. Call 
and R. I. Thockmorton {U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Kansas, Bull. 209, Deo. 1915). — 
It was anticipated by some that the use of explosives would be the means of 
lessening the labour of improving soils. This is the case with some types of soil, 
but the experiments set out in the above bulletin show that on heavy clay soils 
the use of explosives is distinctly detrimental. 
The soil was blown into jug-shaped cavities, the sides of which were compacted 
and partially baked, so that the complete " dynamite jug " could be dug out 
weeks afterwards. 
Such cavities quickly filled with water, which remained for a considerable 
time to the detriment of the trees planted in them. Trees planted near the holes 
were no better than those placed on untreated land. — C. P. C. 
Soy Bean, The. By C. V. Piper and W. J. Morse {U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. P/. 
Ind., Bull. 439, Dec. 20, T916, 20 pp.; 3 figs., 12 tables).— A valuable oil 
can be extracted from the Soy Bean, and the residue ground into meal suitable 
for both human and animal food. It has also a high value as a fertilizer, but is 
more economically fed to stock, and the resulting manure applied to the soil. 
The oil has been used for soap-making, and (after refining) as an edible table oil, 
or in the manufacture of butter substitutes. Other uses are in the manufacture 
of linoleum, of a rubber substitute, and of certain types of paint. — F. G. A. 
Spinach 'Carrion Beetle {Silpha bituberosa Lee). By R. A. Cooley {Jour* 
Econ. Entom. x., pp. 94-102 ; Feb. 191 7). — In the States, so far as is known, this 
beetle does not occur west of the main divide of the Rocky Mountains excepting 
in Idaho. Its usual food is weeds belonging to the Chenopodiaceae, and it appears 
to migrate into the sugar-beet fields from this source. The beetle and larvae 
are most injurious when the plants are very small, and feed mostly at night time. 
A closely allied species S. opaca is one of the most troublesome insect pests to 
beet-growers in Germany, and troublesome at times in Britain. The most 
effective remedy was found to be poison bran mash, prepared according to the 
usual formula. This is scattered amongst the weeds near to the beet-field, 
where the beetle is known to be numerous. It feeds greedily on the bait, and 
is found dead on the ground in abundance next day. The author gives a full 
life-history of the beetle and the article is accompanied by an excellent plate. 
G. W. G. 
Spray, Double Purpose. By A. A. Ramsay {Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxviii, 
pp. 435-437). — Mixing lead arsenate with soap solution is not advisable, as it 
renders the mixture dangerous by increasing the solubility of the arsenic. Lead 
arsenate may be added to Bordeaux or lime sulphur mixture without detriment* 
These mixtures serve the double purpose of insecticide and fungicide. — S. E. W, 
jStapelia Gettleffli Pott. 7 By N. E. Brown {Bot. Mag. t. 8681).— Nearly allied 
toStapelia hirsuta. Rudimentary leaves erect at angles of stem. Flowers 
about 6 inches across, velvety outside, yellowish-green within, the lobes being 
broadly edged with purple and everywhere else lined transversely with yellow 
and purple. Native of Transvaal. — F. J. C, 
Strawberries, Rhizopus Rot in Transit. By N. E. Stevens and R. B. Wilcox 
{U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Buli. 531, pp. 22). — Rhizopus nigricans is shown to be the 
cause of decay of strawberries in transit ; a lower temperature is advised in 
refrigerator cars as the best preventive. — E. A. Bd. 
Strawberry-growing in the South. By H. C. Thompson (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., 
Farm. Bull. 664, April 30, 1915 ; figs.). — The strawberry is the most valuable 
of the small fruit crops grown in the United States. Directions are given on 
choice of situation, propagation, soil, preparation of soil, fertilizers, planting, 
mulching, and harvesting, with a list of varieties considered best at the moment, 
an estimate of the cost of growing strawberries in the South, and a few hints 
on the utilization of the by-products of the crop. — M. L. H. 
Strawberry, North American Varieties of. By S. W. Fletcher {U.S.A. 
Exp. Sin., Virginia, Bull. 11, pp. 126 ; 18 figs.). — A list of 1879 names of varieties 
with references to literature, origin, and brief descriptions. A valuable feature 
is the Bibliography at the end, giving a large number of references to North, 
American Strawberry literature. — E. A. Bd. 
Sweet Corn. ByH.Wenholz {Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxviii., pp. 384-390). — » 
Sweet corn is a distinct type of maize and is less hardy than ordinary maize. 
