204 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Resin Spray for Vegetables. (Queensland Agr, Jour. June 1915, p. 276.) — The 
trouble with Paris green and some other sprays is that they will not stick to 
the glossy leaves of cabbages and cauliflowers, but collect at the base of the stalk 
and at the junction of the stalk and leaves. The following wash, however, 
will stick like varnish, and in an instant destroy all insect life on the plants : 
— Take 20 lb. of resin, 4 lb. caustic soda (98 per cent.) (or 6 lb, 70 per cent.), 
3 pints of fish oil or z\ lb. whale-oil soap, and 140 to 150 lb. of water. Place all 
the above ingredients in a boiler with 20 gallons of the water, and let the whole 
simmer for three hours. Then add hot water slowly, and stir well till there are 
at least 40 gallons of solution. Then add cold water to make up the quantity 
to 140 or 150 gallons. Never add cold water when cooking. — C. H. H. 
Rhododendrons, Good Garden. By H. (Garden, April 10, 1915, p. 172). — 
Much attention has recently been given to hardy Rhododendrons, and numerous 
seedlings have been raised from seeds sent home by collectors. The author 
makes the following selection : — 
' Alice,' rich clear pink, one of the Rhododendrons of the future. 
' Countess of Clancarty,' with large trusses of light rosy -crimson flowers. 
Cinnabarinum, an upright bush with curious pendulous bell-shaped flowers, 
orange red or crimson. 
Compactum multiflorum, often under 2 feet high, with white pink-flushed 
flowers, borne in profusion in April and May. 
' Cornubia,' a new hybrid that is being largely planted, but is more suited 
for warm districts ; flowers glowing scarlet-crimson, habit very erect. 
' Fortunei,' a Chinese species with large, delicate pink, fragrant blossoms, 
distinguished from other kinds by their greater number of petals. Hybrids of 
this are ' Miss E. A. Boulton,' ' Mrs. Thiselton Dyer,' and ' Duchess of York.' 
Caucasicum, an early- flowering species, of compact habit ; flowers white, or 
flushed pink. 
' Doncaster,' a compact plant, flowering abundantly ; blossoms scarlet- 
crimson. - 
' Gomer Waterer,' white, tinged pink. 
' John Waterer,' intense carmine. 
' Lady Clementina Mitford,' trusses large and shapely, a charming shade of 
peach, but some have found it difficult to cultivate. 
' Mrs. E. C. Sterling,' a new variety of great promise and compact habit, with 
medium-sized trusses of delicate pink flowers free from spots. 
Nobleanum, the most interesting of outdoor Rhododendrons, often in flower 
at Christmas. A tall bush with bright red flowers, often damaged by frost; the 
best for forcing. 
' Pink Pearl,' more grown than any variety. The flowers are a delicate 
flesh pink, but the habit is not all that one would desire. 
Racemosum, a very beautiful species from Western China ; it is so dwarf that 
it takes many years to attain 3 feet. The small rose-flushed flowers are produced 
in axillary as well as in terminal clusters. 
Campylocavpum, a Himalayan species with large yellow flowers, tall growing. 
Though considered tender, it will grow in sheltered positions in the London 
neighbourhood. — H. R. D. 
Rhododendron lacteum. By I. B. B. (Gard. Chron. March 25, 1916, p. 168 ; 
with 3 figs.). — Shows that the plant cultivated under this name with white 
flowers marked with crimson is not the true lacteum, in which the flowers are 
cream or yellow. The name R. fictolacteum is therefore proposed for it. — E. A. B. 
Rose Chafer, The Poisonous Effects of the, upon Chickens. By G. H. 
Lamson, junr. (Jour. Econ. Entom. viii. Dec. 1915, pp. 547-548). — Serious losses 
of chickens have occurred from time to time through the eating of the rose 
chafers (Macrodactylus subspinosus) . 
Experiments conducted by the writer confirmed his belief that death was 
due to a poison as well as to mechanical injury of the crop. As near as can be 
determined, the rose chafers contain a neuro-toxin that has a direct effect upon 
the heart action of both chickens and rabbits. Mature hens did not die from 
the poison. — G. W. G. 
Soil Fertility, Nitrogenous Soil Constituents and their bearing on. By O. 
Schreiner and J. J. Skinner (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. Soil, Bull. 87 ; 11 plates ; 
32 tables). — The effect of various nitrogenous compounds found in soils is herein 
discussed. 
