HORTICULTURE. 47 



the ends to make them stick. A\'hen old rul)l)er strip was used it was found to jierish 

 quiekly in the sun. This was avoided l>y covering the graft with raftia. The rafRa 

 should be removed as soon as the graft unites, in order not to form a harl)oring place 

 for insects, etc. It is not necessary to remove tlie rub])er strip, since it stretches and 

 rots off with the growth of the graft. 



The caoutchouc tapper, H. C. Praasterink {Teysmannia, l^i {luoi), No. 6,])]). 

 ..'53-256, figK. 3). — The writer calls attention to the wasteful methods of gathering 

 caoutchouc at present in use. By these methods the sap is not only wasted or 

 obtained in a very impure state, but the trees and vines are greatly injured or 

 destroyed. 



He has devised a special chisel, with concave upper surface and with a hole near 

 the handle end. This is to be driven into the tree in such a way that the sap will 

 flow down the chisel to the hole, to drop through this into a wooden bucket. In a 

 note the editors question the practi(!ability of the use of this device in all cases. — 



H. M. PIETERS. 



New method of propagating- gutta-percha trees {Indian Gard. and Plant., 9 

 {1901), No. 25,}). 432). — This is a Sumatra method, and consists in laying down 

 young saplings, the size of a lead pencil or a little larger, in a horizontal position. 

 When these make shoots 3 or 4 in. long at right angles io the stem, the stem is cut 

 entirely through about an inch on either side of the shoot. The cuttings are then 

 inserted in clayey soil and kept in a damp, cool place until rooted. 



Possibilities of strawberry culture in the State, J. W. Blankinship {Montana 

 Stu. Bid. 32, p. 4-i). — It is stated that there is about a week's difference between the 

 opening of the flowers and the ripening of the strawberry fruit for each successive 

 elevation of 2,000 ft. in Montana. It is pointed out that advantage might be taken 

 of this to secure berries over a long period of time. 



Culture of strawberries in the district of St. Geniez, E. Marre {Prog. Agr. et 

 ]'it. {Ed. IJEhI), 22 {1901), No.^. 45, pp. 548-550; 40, p. 577; 47, p. 612; 50, pp. 099- 

 707, figs. 14; 51, pp. 734-738). — The methods observed in growing and marketing 

 strawberries are given. 



Salicylic acid, a normal constituent of strawberries, L. Portes and A. 

 Des.moilieres {Ann. CItim. Analyt., 6 {1901) , pp. 401-407; Chem. Centhl., 1901, II, p. 

 1360; abs. in Jour. Soc. Chem. Ind., 21 {1902), No. 3, p. 182). — Analyses of several 

 samj^les of fresh strawberries shows salicylic acid to bje a normal constituent of this 

 fruit to the extent of about 1 mg. per kilogram. 



Notes on ringing and other like practices with table grapes, F. Charmeux 

 {Jour. Soc. Nat. llort. France, 4- ser., 2 {1901), Dec, p)p. 1147-1156, fig.'<. 11).— The 

 author })ractices ringing of vines to produce large, early fruits for the horticultural 

 fairs. When strong cord w'as firmly wrapped around the internode of a shoot below 

 a bunch of fruit the effect was practically the same as though the shoot had been 

 ringed. Like results were also obtained when the node below the fruit was twisted 

 when the plant was in full bloom. The fruit above the twist grew large and beauti- 

 ful, but the shoot thus twisted was more subject to the attack of the oidium. 



Fruit forcing under glass, W. Turner {Amer. Gard., 23 {1901), A'o.s. 370, p. 56; 

 371, p. 72). — The growing of Vinifera grapes under glass is considered. It is advised 

 that the grape house be entirely separate from the plant house in order to avoid the 

 mealy bug. The early grapery should be started with a night temperature of 45° F., 

 with 10 to 15° higher in the day time. The temperature should be raised 5° every 

 2 weeks until a night temperature of 70° is attained. The vines require syringing 3 

 times daily until growth begins, then once in the morning and once in the after- 

 noon. When the vines are in heavy foliage syringing once in the morning is con- 

 sidered sufficient. On cloudy days no syringing is required. With the coloring up 

 of the fruit, water should be withheld. The border however should receive a heavy 

 watering at this time which, in the author's experience, is sufficient to mature the 



