DISEASES OF PLANTS. 1047 



A in. spaco belween each incision. The rows of incisions are made ahont in. 

 apart on tlie stems antl branches of the tree. Strips of tea lead are secured to 

 the stems underneatli each row, by which the latex is conducted into cups. By 

 this method of tapping about two-thirds of the Uitex is said to find its way into 

 the cups, while one-third coagulates on the cuts. 



In l!)05-0, S trees planted in 18S2 were tapped in tliis manner and gave an 

 average of G lbs. of rubl)er i)er tree. The same trees were tapped in ]!)0(»-7 and 

 the yield for individual trees varied from 2i to 10 lbs. Four trees planted in 

 issii and IS!H) were tai)peil in a similar maimer during the same years. In 

 l!Kr)-(; the estimated yield per tree was about 2 lbs. of rubber, and in 1900-7 

 the yield iter individual tree varied from 11 to 3i lbs. With this method of 

 tajiping tlie cuts made iu the previous year appeared to heal well and to be 

 hardly noticeable, and it is thought probable that the Assam rubber trees may 

 be tapped more frequently than by the older methods of tapjiing in wliich the 

 barlv is seriously injuretl. 



The latex coagulating on the cuts is said to require no further treatment. 

 That gathered from the cups is mixed with a 2 per cent solution of formalin, 

 poured into clean bamboo troughs and covered from the direct rays of the sun. 

 The coagulation is said to be complete within a day's time. After the strips of 

 rubber have dried they are rolled into balls. 



(Notel on a Tonquin rubber tree, Dubard and Eberhardt (Conipt. Rend. 

 Arud. Sri. [Paris], IJfO (1907), Wo. 16, pp. 631-633).— A general and botanic 

 description is given of a species of rubber tree recently discovered in Tonquin, 

 which, it is said, is of large size, occurs in vei'y dense stands in some of the 

 provinces, and produces a high percentage of rubber whicli can not be dis- 

 tinguished commercially from the better sorts of Para rubber. This species has 

 been named Birekrodca tonkiiiciisis, and is said to belong to the Moracees 

 family. Its discovery is considered important, since it is the first species of 

 rubber to he reported from ludo-China which occurs in numerous and dense 

 stands and which produces first-class rubber. 



On the latex of Ceara manigoba, A. S. Coelho (BoI. Agr. [Sdo Paulo], S. 

 ser., moi, Xo. 8, pp. 372-376). — Notes are given on the various methods of 

 coagulating the latex of Ceara rubber {Mnniliot f/laziovii). 



Distribution of rubber plants from Kew {Roy. Bot. Gard. Kcw, Bid. Misc. 

 I)ifonii.. 1907, yo. 3, pp. 103-105). — A tabulated statement is given showing 

 the distribution from Kew of living plants of various species of rubber to 

 different parts of the Trojtics from IST.*] to 1S09. 



DISEASES OF PLANTS. 



Diseases of plants on the home grounds and elsewhere, 'B. D. Halstkd, 

 E. .1. OWKN, and X. I). Siiork (Sfir Jcr.si i/ Stas. Rpf. I'.xn. pp. 379-3S2). — A 

 brief account is given of ])lant diseases which have been noticed during the 

 season r-overed by the report. 



Smut was present on some of the varieties of sweet corn, particularly Malamo 

 and Malakosby. 



Attention is called to the fact that tomatoes were rather free from disease 

 during the year. Beans suffered but little from iiod spot, and the mildew of 

 Lima beans was not at all troublesome. This is accounted for by tlie general 

 practice of si»raying. 



Squashes were not (roubled seriously with any fungus disease, but gourds 

 were considerably infested with anthracnose. Late viirieties of peas became 

 badly mildewed before maturing, while the early sorts escaped any disease. 



