August 4, 1892. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
109 
the active agent, and that the copper ought to be totally precipitated 
from the liquid. At the same time, I think that the nature and the 
preparation of this bouillie bordelaise has not generally been clearly 
stated and understood. I suppose I may assume that this hydrated 
oxide of copper is the substance which it is desired to prepare, but it will 
be a matter of the greatest importance as to whether it is suspended in a 
solution of sulphate of copper, or in lime water, or in pure water ; all of 
which cases are possible according to the proportions of the materials 
used. In the case of Chiswick there was a deficiency of lime, and hence 
the copper sulphate remained in solution. To get rid of the sulphate of 
copper, which appears to have acted so injuriously, the instructions 
should be to continue the addition of lime till the liquid just ceased to 
have a blue colour when a depth of 2 or 3 inches is looked through. 
[ should think that the different results which have been obtained by 
different experimenters may be to a great extent accounted for by the 
want of an exact description of how the bouillie bordelaise was to be 
made and how it should be used.” 
The following are extracts from M. Cornu’s letter received by 
Dr. Masters (from the Mus6um d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris) “ The 
proportions of the bouillie bordelaise vary from 3 to 4 kilogrammes 
of sulphate of copper, with 3 to 4 of quicklime, and 100 kilogrammes 
or litres of water [1 kil. = 2± lbs.; 100 litres = 22 gallons]. It is 
better to have less copper than lime, so that all of the former may be 
precipitated. The copper salt must first be dissolved in water (10 litres), 
and the lime also separately in 20 litres ; the two must then be mixed 
together. Under these conditions the copper is reduced to the state of a 
hydrated oxide, which is quite or nearly insoluble, and does not burn 
the leaves. The lime also effects a mechanical adherence of the copper 
salt to the surface of the leaves. The hydrated oxide of copper becomes 
soluble under the influence of organic acids contained in small quantities 
in the liquid in contact with the vegetative organs. There is an elective 
property in cellulose membranes for salts of copper, and the natural 
explanation which follows from this fact is ; first, that the Peronospora 
is killed by the salt; and secondly, that the spores cannot germinate 
upon leaves the membrane of which has imbibed the copper salt. Leaves 
which have thus received the mixture are not invaded by the Perono¬ 
spora, while adjacent leaves are less easily attacked. It has been 
observed in Bourgoyne that the Vines were much less attacked by the 
Peronospora, the props of which had been treated with the sulphate of 
copper, than those not so treated. Hence it is advisable to soak all the 
objects which surround the plants, especially the props or supports, &c., 
in the bouillie bordelaise, as well as the walls, soil, pots, &c. The 
author finally suggests the trial of copper sulphide finely pulverised and 
scattered over the borders, plants, &c.” With reference to this last 
mentioned suggestion of M. Cornu, Professor Church observed that 
copper pyrites in fine powder suspended in mine water has been proved 
to be most injurious to young grass in water meadows. Free sulphuric 
acid and basic sulphate of copper and iron w’ere produced; the acid 
being the chief destructive agent. 
Black Ricefrovi Burviah. —Professor Church announced his discovery 
of the occurrence of a red pigment in the grain of the Black Rice of 
Burmah. A sample of this remarkable variety of Rice was recently 
handed to Professor Church for chemical analysis by the Director of the 
Royal Gardens, Kew. It was an imperfectly decorticated sample, most 
of the grains still retaining portions of the dark-coloured pericarp. 
Plunged into slightly acidulated alcohol the pigment dissolved with a 
magnificent crimson colour, and proved to be identical with one of the 
most widely diffused and best known of vegetable colouring matters. 
This is the compound represented by the empirical formula C 20 H 20 O 10 , 
and known by various names, such as oenolin, anthocyan, erythrophyll, 
and colein. It occurs in black Grapes and Black Currants, in the 
leaves of the Copper Beech, in the stems and leaves of Coleus Verschaf- 
felti, in the florets of the crimson Dahlia, &c. It is soluble in alcohol, 
but insoluble in ether, and nearly so in pure water ; and may thus 
be distinguished from carotin, which dissolves in ether ; and from 
amarantin, which is soluble in water, but not in alcohol. It becomes 
purple, then blue, and finally green, or even yellow, by the action of 
alkalies. Its spectrum is quite characteristic. A full account of this 
pigment was published in the Journal of the Chemical Society for 
March, 1877. 
Figs, Diseased. —Mr. Barron sent some varieties of yellow Figs from 
Chiswick with dark green spots. Each spot proved to have a scale 
insect, Mytilaspis ficus, in it. The leaves were also affected, but these 
were neither damaged nor discoloured as was the fruit. 
Verbascum, Fasciated. —Mr. Paul exhibited a fine specimen of this 
plant in this abnormal condition. Mr. Henslow observed that he had 
several very long fasciated stems of Asparagus this year, exceeding 
6 feet in length and from 2 to 3 inches in breadth. He also added that 
he had raised a fasciated Tropasolum by seed for six years in succession. 
A propos of hereditary malformations, Dr. Masters wrote to say that 
although Dr. Hugo de Vries had succeeded in reproducing by seed the 
spirally twisted variety of the Teazle, yet plants raised by himself from 
seeds sent to him by Dr. Vries had grown quite normally. 
Proliferous Mignonette .—A specimen of this monstrosity was sent by 
Mr. W. Treseder, Cardiff. It proved to be the same as one issued by 
Mr. W. Balchin of Hassock’s Gate in 1881, and called Reseda odorata , 
var. prolifera alba. It was described and figured by Rev. G. Henslow 
in the Journal of the Linnean Society, vol. xix., p. 214, pi. 32, The 
peculiarity resides in the fact that every branch arises out of the centre 
of an abortive flower, and occupies the place of the pistil. Occasionally 
two branches arise out of the same flower. Each of the branches, 
especially the lower, may have lateral ones. These also in the same 
way rise out of the centres of similarly proliferous flowers. The plant, 
of course, cannot seed, but can be propagated readily by cuttings. 
Vegetable Marrow , Malformed .—Mr. Henslow showed a specimen in 
which a lateral branch had flattened out, and was adherent to the side 
of a fruit some 5 inches in length. At the summit of the latter a leaf 
was given off, as well as another branch similarly adherent to a second 
fruit of about 2 inches in length. At the summit of this was also a leaf, 
together with a normal flower bud. In addition to the last-mentioned 
youngest fruit there was also a second growing from the apex of the 
first or lowermost fruit. This was about 4 inches in length, quite free, 
and normal in character. By the side of this was a young branch with 
leaves, buds, and tendrils, all undeveloped, and apparently quite 
normal. 
The next meeting of the Scientific Committee will be held on 
October 4th, 
HARDY FRUIT GARDEN. 
Strawberries— Preparing the Ground.— The end of the Straw¬ 
berry season having come, regard mu3t be had to forming and planting 
beds and quarters in accordance with the demand or convenience for 
growing. It is undoubtedly true that Strawberries succeed the best on 
a deep, rich, moist, loamy soil, having an open aspect and being well 
drained. With plants rationally managed throughout the year such soil 
produces in favourable seasons abundant crops of well-developed fruit, 
while in untoward seasons, or those with a maximum of heated and dry 
conditions of the soil and atmosphere, it is only soils of similar texture 
that can meet the requirements of the Strawberry profitably. Such 
being the case it is, therefore, imperative that the best preparation of 
the ground be secured preparatory to early planting. Well-worked 
gardens are generally in a condition most suitable for forming beds 
without any great amount of immediate preparation. Ground that has 
been improved and enriched for early Potatoes is usually in splendid 
condition for planting Strawberries without further trouble than 
removing the Potatoes, hoeing down weeds, and levelling the soil. 
Neither digging nor forking is necessary, especially if the soil is some¬ 
what light. Where these favourable conditions cannot be secured, 
select, if possible, a plot of ground on which no exhausting crop has 
recently been grown ; clear the land of strong weeds or vegetable 
stumps ; then spread a heavy coating of decayed manure upon the 
surface, and proceed to dig it in, moving the soil as deeply as possible, 
at the same time incorporating the whole well together. This method 
of preparation is fairly well adapted for ground in a medium condition 
of culture, and which has previously received deep cultivation. 
Comparatively poor ground ought to receive a more thorough course of 
cultivation, the best method to pursue in such cases being that of 
trenching, keeping, however, the soil when dug in the same position as 
before in order to avoid the introduction of the probably inert soil from 
the lower spit into the surface layer or rooting medium. This can easily 
be accomplished by taking out a trench about 2 feet wide to the depth 
of one spit only, across the breadth of ground, and wheeling it to the 
end, where the digging will be finished. A good layer of manure is 
then placed upon the remaining spit in the trench, and it is thoroughly 
broken up with the spade or fork. A similar width of ground is then 
marked out for another trench, the first spit of it being disposed on the 
top of the soil in the first trench, mixing thoroughly with it a fair 
quantity of well-decayed manure. The same process is repeated over the 
whole piece of ground. This ensures a rich, open, friable condition of 
the soil, capable of sustaining the Strawberry in vigorous condition for 
some years. 
Planting Strawberries. —Moderately dry and dull weather is the 
most suitable for placing out young plants. Those recently rooted in 
small pots will now be fast filling the pots with roots, and will be in 
fine condition for immediate planting. If since they became established 
they have been standing closely together on a moist base of ashes, many 
of the strongest will be rooting through the drainage holes into the 
ashes. Preserve all these roots; they can easily be drawn through the 
holes of the pots when the plants are turned out. Plants also established 
on turf squares will have many rootlets protruding, showing that they 
also are ready for new feeding ground. As soon, therefore, this month 
as opportunity arises, the weather and the soil being favourable, put out 
all the forwardest plants. Recently trenched ground may require 
treading evenly all over with the feet, but the operation should only be 
done in dry weather which has existed long enough to dry and crumble 
the surface. In planting use a trowel, making holes large enough to 
admit the roots without crushing or turning upwards, and also sinking 
the ball low enough so as to bring the crown of the plant just level with 
the surface. Fill in the soil carefully, making it firm round each plant. 
Before planting see that every plant has its ball of soil or turf thoroughly 
moistened through. Should the weather at the time of planting be dry 
a good watering must be given, following it up if necessary until the 
