My gardener always keeps a can of calcium carbide ready for use. 
In reading one of the Baltimore newspapers last August, I was 
interested to note that in the trenches in France the rats and mice 
had become such pests that the army was using calcium carbide to try 
to exterminate them. I felt that this was a good indorsement of my 
gentleman farmer's advice. Virginia W. Smith, 
Green Spring Valley Garden Club, Baltimore Co., Md. 
The Chinese Witch Hazel 
Of the several shrubs which bloom during late December and 
in January, the Chinese Witch Hazel (Hamamelis mollis) is one 
of the most beautiful. . In addition it [is the best of the Witch 
Hazels, and anyone wishing to grow but one plant of this remark- 
able family would do well to try this. Although it was intro- 
duced as long ago as 1879, it has only been well known for about 
fifteen years, its merits being unappreciated previous to that time. 
It can be distinguished from other Witch Hazels by its rather 
large, rounded, hairy leaves and by its golden petals being flat, with a 
hooked end instead of twisted, which is a familiar feature of other 
species. The- flowers are borne very freely and are Primrose-scented. 
It should be given a position sheltered from cold winds, and thrives 
satisfactorily in well-drained loamy soil containing a little peat or 
leaf -mould. 
Berberis Sargentiana 
Berberis Sargentiana ranks among the finest of the plants intro- 
duced by Mr. E. H. Wilson from China, and is well worthy of the 
name which has been given it. The bold leafage and conspicuous 
white spines render it a most effective plant for the shrubbery. At 
this season of the year the foliage assumes gorgeous tints. 
New Roses at Bagatelle 
The report of the annual trial of new Roses at Bagatelle, near 
Paris, has just come to hand. The gold medals have been awarded 
to two yellow Roses, one from Messrs. Pernet-Ducher, named Mme. 
Caristie Martel; the other from Messrs. Alexander Dickson, of New- 
townards, Margaret Dickson Hamill. The judges report that both 
these Roses have shown, during the period of their cultivation at 
Bagatelle, all the points of good Roses, including continuous flowering 
from Spring to Autumn. Certificates were awarded to the following : 
