History Of The Potato Rot

Prof. Spalding of Ann Arbor says that the potato rot appeared in this country as well as in Western Europe in 1842, and 1845. He adopts the name of Phy-tophttiona infestans for the fungus which causes it. No wonder it is not so virulent in modern times, loaded down with such a cognomen. When it was so very severe, the fungus men gave it a much lighter one. Prof. Edwin F. Smith finds continuous rains favorable to its development.

Western Names For Western Weeds

Some new common names of plants, appearing to have become common in the West, as noted by the annual report of the Ohio Agricultural Station, are worth recording here: Cursed Thistle - Cirsium arvense; Wheat Thief, also Pigeon Weed - Lithospermum arvense; Bird's Nest - Daucus carina; Yellow Daisy - Rudbeckia hirta; Sand-brier - Solanum Caroliniana; Carpet Weed - Mol-lugo verticillata; Butter Print, Pie Print, Velvet Leaf - Abutilon Avicennse.

History Of The Orange In California

Orange trees were first planted in California about 1820, by Franciscan friars, at the old San Gabriel Mission in Los Angeles county. Many of these old trees still bear excellent fruit. San Gabriel is now the chief orange centre of California, having probably half the bearing trees in the State.

American Nurserymen's Convention

This society, which has done so much to elevate the nursery trade, and to place its extent and importance in a proper light before the public, will meet this year at Washington, D. C, in the Agricultural Department rooms, on the 16th, 17th and 18th of June. All information can be had of the Secretary, D. Wilmot Scott, Galena, Illinois.

Lilacs

Besides the new lilac described by Prof. Sargent, there are two species long introduced, but still scarce, by which the " Lilac season " may be prolonged to near midsummer. These are from Eastern Asia, and are known in catalogues as Syrinja Josikae, and S. Emodi. The former is of a dark purple; the last a light purple.

Scraps And Queries. Linseed Oil And Rose Mildew

A correspondent says: "In the Gardeners' Monthly, No. 319, July, 1885, there was a remedy for rose mildew. It was linseed oil and sulphur. Will you please tell me how it must be used?"

[Sulphur is mixed with linseed oil, and the hot-water pipes painted with the mixture. - Ed. G. M].

Newtown Pippin Apples

These seem to be still grown to great perfection somewhere in America, for the Londoners were boasting, on the 1st of May, with being still supplied with glorious fruit of this variety.