171 



smoking- process it has been shown that an ethereal oil is formed 

 from certain products and this probably contributes to the flavor. 

 Critis, malic and oxalic acids are found in greater quantities in the 

 cured leaf than in the green leaf. These are probably transformed 

 to acetic and butyric acids during fermentation. Thus we see 

 that numerous complex chemical changes take place during the 

 growth, curing and fermentation of tobacco and that enzymes 

 play a very important part in these changes. For the product to 

 obtain the greatest commercial value, extreme care and attention 

 is necessary at the critical stage of maturity and also during the 

 curins: and fermentation." 



Another plant for paper-making material is presented in this 

 number, the Hedychium coronarium, the article describing which 

 is from the Tropical Agriculturist of Ceylon. That journal sug- 

 gests the plant as a possible new product for Ceylon, and it might 

 be well worth experimenting with in Hawaii. 



ALFALFA— A PROMISLNG FORAGE CROP FOR 

 HAW AIL 



(Continued.) 



EXPERIMENTAL DATA FROM THE COLLEGE OF HAWAII FARM. 



Purcelain is very easily destroyed, but its very rapid growth 

 and continuous reappearance, especially during rainy seasons, 

 makes it a serious pest in young alfalfa. 



Worst of all worthless grasses, and the most difficult to eradi- 

 cate, is the so-called "knot grass." It is rather deep rooted and 

 has numerous underground stems with a number of knots or 

 swellings from which the popular name is derived. These roots 

 are removed from the soil with difficulty, and as each knot is 

 capable of producing many more in a short time, especially when 

 there is an abundance of moisture, it is obvious that the only way 

 to combat it successfully is to keep at it persistently. 



Lisect Pests. A large number of insects, including several 

 orders and species, are found to be injurious to the growing al- 

 falfa crop, the most serious of which are the cut worms, army 

 worms, alfalfa weevil, alfalfa looper, and various species of grass- 

 hoppers. 



According to O. E. Essig^ of California, the alfalfa weevil 

 (Phytonomus posticus) has proven to be such a serious pest of 



1 Cal. State C'omm. Hort. Monthly Bui. 1 and 2, 1913. 



