excellent prospect, and the work is well advanced in the latter colony, and 3,000 bales of Egyptian cotton will be marketed this season. In British West Africa there is a large area-500,000 square miles-and a large population 10,000,000. Cotton equal to average American has been grown in large quantities, and there is no reason why the whole of West Africa -British and foreign-should not at some future date grow 20,000,000 bales of cotton. Seed has been supplied, experts have been sent out, and seed farms are being established. It is felt that the best policy is to establish cotton-growing as a native industry, as the climate is unsuitable for Europeans. The British Cotton-growing Association have undertaken an enormous task, and have proved that sufficient cotton for Lancashire's needs can be grown in British possessions. Their work, if successful, will enrich the colonies and increase the demand for manufactured goods. ANALYSIS OF THE SOIL BY MEANS OF THE PLANT.* In view of the many difficulties attaching to the interpretation of soil analyses as a guide to the manurial requirements of the soil, attempts have been made from time to time to use the living plant as an analytical agent. It is well known that while the ash of a given plant possesses a characteristic composition, variation of constituents like the potash or phosphoric acid will take place to a certain extent in response to the manuring. Investigations on the utility of the analysis of plant ashes to ascertain the needs of the soil for specific mineral manures have been undertaken by Heinrich, Helmkamf, and others, and particularly by Atterberg, who used oats as his test plant. To try the agreement between this method and analysis of the soil, further experiments were begun in 1902 with oats grown in pots containing six soils of very different types. Although in certain striking cases both methods agreed in their results, there was no strict measure of consistency between the two sets of figures, while the variation between the material grown in duplicate pots of the same soil were often greater than that between different soils. For further information the data accumulated in the Rothampsted experiments were consulted, and analyses of wheat, barley, mangels, and potatoes from certain of the plots were compared with the analyses of the soil of the same plots. In dealing with cereals it is necessary to examine the whole plant, the composition of the grain fluctuates but little with the manuring; any deficiency of a particular constituent will result in less grain being formed, while any excess will be left behind in the straw. From these Rothamsted results it seemed that though the composition of the plant did reflect Abstract of a paper by A. D. Hall, M.A., read before Section K of the British Association at Cambridge, that of the soil, yet the range of variation shown by the plant was less than that indicated by soil analysis. The ash of the root crops showed, however, a wider range of variation, and, in view of the greater sensitiveness of root crops to the lack of mineral plant foods as compared with the comparative indifference of the cereals, they seemed likely to prove better test plants to indicate the need or otherwise of specific mineral manures. Samples of potatoes, mangels, and of swedes were obtained during 1903 from experimental plots in various parts of the country, where the field trials indicated a reaction to phosphoric acid or potash manuring; analyses of the ash were made and compared with the analyses of the soil. The results indicate that the analysis of the ash of the Swede plant would often provide a better indication of the phosphoric acid requirements of the soil than does the analysis of the soil itself, and that similarly the mangel plant will serve to test the state of the soil as to potash. A great number of data as to the limits of normal variation in the composition of the ash are, however, wanted before the method can be employed for practically testing the soil. SCIENCE Notes on Books. AND PRACTICE OF PHOTOGRAPHY, Fourth edition. By Chapman Jones, F.I.C., &c. London: Iliffe and Sons. 1904. About twelve or fourteen years ago Mr. Chapman Jones published, under the above title, a manual of photography which has ever since been well appreciated by scientific students of the art. Two fresh editions of the book have since been issued, the last of them in 1895. Since that year much has been done in photography, many new discoveries have been made, there has been considerable advance in knowledge, considerable change in practice. A measure of this progress is afforded by a comparison between the two editions of the book. Roughly, there appears to be some thirty per cent, more matter, and while the third edition contains 55 chapters, the new one contains 68. Many of the additional chapters or large parts of them, appear to have no equivalent in the earlier editions. For instance, the following subjects, all now treated at length, are either not dealt with at all, or are very briefly touched upon in the original works. New organic developers, Illumination of the dark room, Time development, Neutral and Acid developers, Nature of the developable image, Printing on P.O.P., Methods of measurement, Various methods of pigment printing (of the gum-bichromate class, &c.). At the same time it is hardly fair to estimate the value of the book by the amount of additional matter it contains. Too often the re-issue of a scientific manual is only a bit of patchwork, it may be be very skilfully done, but done in a manner obvious enough to the expert. This is often a source of annoyance caused by finding bits of obsolete description left in the midst of fresh material, or by lighting on incongruously novel matter introduced into a mass of ancient record with the idea of bringing all up to date. Whatever be the merits or demerits of the present work, it is no piece of patchwork. A perusal of certainly the greater part of the book-candour forbids the assumption on the part of the reviewer that he has read the whole-justifies the statement that the book is for all practical purposes a new one, and it certainly gives the impression that it has been practically re-written. It covers in comprehensive fashion the whole practice of modern photography, and the reputation of the author may be accepted as sufficient guarantee for the accuracy and the trustworthy character of his work. JAPANESE COLOUR PRINTS. By Edward F. Strange. London: H.M.'s Stationery Office. This is one of the valuable series of illustrated art handbooks published for the Victoria and Albert Museum. In 1897, Mr. Strange wrote his first book on this subject, "Japanese Illustrations." Since that date he has obtained much additional information on the subject, and the present handbook is the result. The subjects of the successive chapters are—the Torii school; the period of Haronobu; Utamaru, Yeishi aud Yeizan; the Utagawas; Hokusai; the Osaka group; the pupils of Kunisada and Kuniyoshi; Landscape; Surimono. The art of wood-carving in Japan dates back to a remote period, and it was very general in the seventh and eighth centuries. Prints were often coloured by hand, and the earliest use of colour-printing at present known is in a series of patterns of kimono (the outer robe worn by women), dated 1667. Of these patterns, the author writes:-"These are printed in at least four colours, only one of which is used on each plate, namely, black, olive green, red, and blue. Of course, as these colours are used singly, it cannot be claimed that the result is colour printing in the ordinary sense of the term. But the mere employment of coloured ink is a step of great importance, from which the full achievement was a natural and easy development." In order to help the student, a table of Japanese chronology, and of the signatures of artists are added. The book is fully illustrated by eighty-four plates reproduced from the large collection of Japanese prints in the Art Library; one of these represents a woman making coloured prints. ACROSS THE GREAT SAINT BERNARD: the Modes of Nature and the Manners of Man. By A. R. Sennett. London: Bemrose and Sons. Mr. Sennett here recounts his travels on the bicycle in Switzerland, ending with the pass of the Great St. Bernard and his visit to the famous Hospice. The book is well illustrated, and the author attempts to interest his readers in the causes that go to form the marvellous architecture of Nature, and the origin of the wondrous colouring to be found on all sides among the Alps. He also deals with the mountain industries of the laborious Swiss, such as the watch trade, and the manufacture of musicalboxes. Appendixes are added, which deal with glaciers and their motion, disappearing lakes, caves, stalactites and stalagmites, ice and regelation, sculp turing by frost and water, reflections in water, clouds and the rainbow, &c. Obituary. CHRISTOPHER James Little.-Mr. Little, who had been a member of the Society of Arts since 1880, died at 17, Groombridge-road, South Hackney, N.E., on the 9th of September. Mr. Little was well known for his claims to have been the inventor of the block system of signalling on railways, and for some time he carried on a rather vigorous controversy in the Technical Press in support of his claims. Those who are curious in such matters will find the question fully discussed in the correspondence columns of the Engineer for 1891. The precise rights and wrongs of a somewhat vexed question need not now be discussed, but it is certain that Mr. Little never received the credit to which he considered himself entitled for the early suggestion of a system now of universal application. He served his apprenticeship as an engineer in the Great Western Railway Works at Swindon, and subsequently became an inspector of engines and boilers. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. London Institution, Finsbury-circus, E.C., 5 p.m. TUESDAY, Nov. 8...Civil Engineers, 25, Great George- Colonial Inst., Whitehall-rooms, Whitehall-place, THURSDAY, Nov. 10-London Institution, Finsbury-circus, FRIDAY, NOV. 11...Architectural Association, 18, Tuftinstreet, S.W.. 7 p.m. Mr. W. Henman, "Ventilation." COLONIAL SECTION. Journal of the Society of Arts. Tuesday afternoons at 4.30 o'clock — January 24, February 28, March 28, May 23. No. 2,712. VOL. LII. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1904. All communications for the Society should be addressed to the Secretary, John-street, Adelphi, London, W.C. Notices. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SESSION. The First Meeting of the One Hundred-and Fifty-First Session will be held on Wednesday evening, the 16th of November, when an Address will be delivered by SIR WILLIAM ABNEY, K.C.B., D.C.L., D.Sc., F.R.S., VicePresident and Chairman of the Council. Previous to Christmas there will be Five Ordinary Meetings, one meeting of the Indian Section, and one of the Applied Art Section. The following arrangements have been made : ORDINARY MEETINGS. Wednesday evenings, at 8 o'clock: NOVEMBER 16.-Opening Address of the Chairman of Council. NOVEMBER 23.-"The Systematic Promotion of British Trade." By BEN. H. MORGAN. NOVEMBER 30.-"The British Canal Problem." By ARTHUR LEE, J.P. The RIGHT HON. SIR MICHAEL HICKS BEACH, Bart., D.C.L., M.P., will preside. DECEMBER 7.-" The International Exhibition at St. Louis." By WALTER FRANCIS REID, F.C.S. DECEMBER 14.-"The Patent Laws." By CHAS. D. ABEL. INDIAN SECTION. Thursday afternoons, at 4.30 o'clock: DECEMBER 8.-" Burma." By SIR FREDERIC FRYER, K.C.S.I. The RIGHT HON. the EARL of HARDWICKE, Under-Secretary of State for India, will preside. January 19, February 16, March 16, April 6, May 11. "The Navigation of the Nile." By SIR WILLIAM H. PREECE, K.C.B., F.R.S. "The Protection of Buildings from Fire." By KILLINGWOTH HEDGES, M. Inst.C.E. "The Present Aspect of the Fiscal Question." By SIR CHARLES MALCOLM KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B. "British Woodlands." By The RIGHT HON. SIR HERBERT MAXWELL, Bart., M.P. "The Supply of Electricity." By JAMES NELSON SHOOLBRED, B.A., M.Inst.C.E. "Time Development in Photography, and Modern Mechanical Methods of carrying it out." By R. CHILD BAYLEY. "Popular Jewelry." By MONSIEUR LALIQUE (Paris). (Applied Art Section.) "The Cape to Cairo Railway." By SIR CHARLES H. T. METCALFE, Bart., M. Inst.C.E. (Colonial Section.) - LECTURE I.- NOVEMBER 28. IntroductionMusic and the practical arts-Division of instruments into string, wind, and percussion-Limitation of definition-Wind instruments and the human voiceAcoustics and the art of instrument making-Vibration and wave motion-Every wind instrument a vibrating column of air-Stationary waves-Means of exciting vibration-Wave-form-Classification into brass, reed, and flute. LECTURE II.-DECEMBER 5.-Brass Instruments. -Primitive instruments from horns and shellsHarmonic scale-Development into bugle and trumpet types-natural horns and trumpets-Introduction of slides, keys, and valves. ST. LOUIS EXHIBITION. LIST OF AWARDS TO MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY OF Arts. The following is a list of the awards made at the St. Louis Exhibition to members of the Society of Arts, and to firms of which a partner or representative is a member of the Society : Sir W. de W. Abney, K.C.B., F.R.S., Grand Prize. Aitchison and Co. (James Aitchison), Silver Medal. Joseph Baker and Sons (G. S. Baker), Grand Prize and Silver Medal. F. P. Bhumgara and Co. (J. S. Bhumgara), three Grand Prizes, three Gold, three Silver, and two Bronze Medals. Boake, Roberts and Co. (A. Boake), Grand Prize, two Gold Medals, and one Silver Medal. Bennett H. Brough, Gold Medal. Brunner, Mond and Co. (Sir John Brunner, Dr. Ludwig Mond), Gold Medal. Burroughs, Wellcome and Co. (Henry S. Wellcome), three Grand Prizes and three Gold Medals. Alfred Campion, Silver Medal. H. C. H. Carpenter, Bronze Medal. Walter Carson and Sons (H. J. Dyer), Silver Medal. Spencer Chapman and Messel (Spencer Chapman), Gold Medal. Cedric Chivers, Gold Medal. S. Cowper Coles and Co. (S. H. Cowper Coles), Gold Medal and Silver Medal. Crompton and Co. (Lt.-Col. R. E. B. Crompton, C.B.), Gold Medal. Lewis F. Day, Silver Medal, Sir James Dewar, F.R.S., Gold Medal. Doulton and Co. (H. Lewis Doulton), Two Grand Prizes. J. C. and J. Field (Frederick A. Field), Grand Prize. Henry Fleuss, Bronze Medal. Frederick Hollyer, Gold Medal. Herbert W. Hughes, Silver Medal. India Rubber, Gutta Percha, and Telegraph Works Co. (Robert Kaye Gray), Gold Medal. Lord Kelvin, Grand Prize. Kelvin and James White, Ltd. (Lord Kelvin), Gold Liberty and Co. (J. Lasenby Liberty), Grand Prize. Nobel's Explosives Co. (C. O. Lundholme, David Pulsometer Engineering Co. (Henry Fleuss), Silver Medal. J. E. Stead, F.R.S., Gold Medal. Sutton and Sons (Leonard Sutton), Grand Prize and Gold Medal. Sir J. W. Swan, F.R.S., Silver Medal. Townson and Mercer (F. M. Mercer), Gold Medal. Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories (Henry S. Wellcome), Grand Prize and Gold Medal. If any name has been inadvertently omitted from this list the Secretary requests that he may be informed of the award so that correction may be made. BARBADOS BANANAS. The fact that very large consignments of bananas from Jamaica and Costa Rica have recently arrived in this country, has drawn attention, not only to the increased favour in which this fruit is now held by all classes in the British Isles, but also to the capabilities of its very much further extension, with the view of supplying a wholesome and nutritious fruit at a cheap rate at times when home-grown fruits are not available. Though large quantities of bananas come to us from our own colony of Jamaica, it must not be forgotten that other countries contribute very extensively to the general imports, and it would seem that a good opportunity has now occurred for pushing forward the cultivation in, and the exportation from, other British colonies. In connection with this it does not appear to be generally known that Barbados has already taken the matter in hand and is now cultivating and exporting a fine quality of fruit, the history of which is as follows: As is well known, for many years past the staple product of this island has been sugar, but this crop has for a long period been an unprofitable one, and more remunerative crops have been sought. In 1902 shipments of Barbados potatoes, which are perhaps better known as sweet potatoes, were made under the instructions of Sir Daniel Morris, K.C.M.G., the Imperial Commissioner of Agriculture for the West Indies, but in spite of every effort being made to introduce them to public favour, they were not generally appreciated, and the attempt ended in failure; while, however, shipping the potatoes, a few bunches of bananas were sent as an experiment, and were found on arrival to be of splendid quality and flavour, although in bad condition, owing to faulty packing and handling. After some experimenting this trouble was overcome, and small consignments were sent, which arrived in perfect condition. The consignments were then considerably increased, but the results were still unsatisfactory, for although it was comparatively easy to bring a few crates, the case was quite different when a large number were shipped at one time; the temperature of the holds of the steamers became very high, owing to the fact that the fruit when ripening always generates a certain amount of heat. For this reason, several consignments arrived with about 90 per cent. of the fruit rotten. However, on the strong advice of Sir Daniel Morris, the shipments were continued, and even tually, by the installation of a proper system of ventilation on the Royal Mail steamers, complete success has been attained, so that the fruit now received in bad condition does not exceed 1 per cent., and that is usually the result of inexperience in shipping. From the first no attempt has been made to compete with the Jamaica banana industry, the fruit grown in Barbados being a different kind from that shipped from Jamaica, which is a largefruited variety known as the "Gros Michael." It grows on plants fourteen or fifteen feet high, and is capable of being roughly handled without any appreciable damage. The Barbados banana is the same variety as that grown in the Canary Islands and Madeira, and is known as the dwarf or Chinese variety. Its height does not exceed ten or twelve feet, but the bunches are, as a rule, large and heavy and the fruit of good size; the flavour is decidedly superior to the fruit either from the Canary Islands or Madeira, which is probably due to the richer nature of the Barbados soil. The plants are propagated from the shoots from old roots, known as suckers, which are placed in the ground at about ten feet apart. They should be well manured if large bunches are wanted, and the plants also require a considerable amount of moisture. When the fruits are young, the bunch remains almost upright; but as it matures, the stalk bends over under the weight of fruit, and forms a convenient "handle" for carrying. In about eleven months from the time of planting, the bunch is ready to cut, but the exact time to do this can only be known from long experience, and this lack of experience is the usual cause of failure in starting. The Jamaica banana can be shipped naked, and arrives in England in good condition; but the Barbados fruit, being much more delicate, has to be packed, as it is quite impossible to ship it otherwise. On being cut, it is sometimes packed in the field, and sometimes sent to a central packing house, but whereever it is packed, it is handled with the greatest possible care, as a slight bruise or rub when the fruits are still green, in which condition the bunch is of course always shipped, would, when ripe, show a black mark which would considerably reduce its value in the English market. So great is the care given to avoid this, that the Barbados fruit arrives in England in better condition than any other kind. Many of the bunches being absolutely free from marks. The method of packing is simple, but the packer requires considerable experience. The bunch is first wrapped in a sheet of cotton wool, which preserves it from injury and absorbs moisture, it is next wrapped in a sheet of thin paper to keep the cotton wool in place. It is then placed in a crate in which a layer of dead banana leaves, or "trash" as they are called, has been placed. The bunch is then carefully packed round with more trash," and the top of the crate |