x\OTES 



Src.AK Si:i"ki;ti().\ i'kd.m Comi-iiks 



Since the secretion of sUi^ars fn^n conifers is attracting some atten- 

 tion, the siil)stance of the enclosed letter may be of sufticient interest 



to the readiTS of the Ioiknai. : 



.1. H. Maii.kn. Kso.. 



Pircclor Botanical iiardcn. 



Sydney. Xcw v^outh Wales. Australia. 

 l)i;.\K Sik: 



111 connection witli the interesting observation recorded by you in Bulletin 14, 

 Forestry Conunission, Xew South Wales, on the occurrence of a sugar secretion 

 from the branches of the white cypress pines, I beg to call your attention to 

 a similar phenomena observed on Pscudotstiga taxifolia in British Colutnbia, by 

 Prof. Davidson of the University of B. C, and recorded in The Canadian Field 

 Wituralisl. Vol. .'!3, p. 6, l'.)l<). This Douglas fir sugar or "manna" has attracted 

 much attention in America as it is found to contain a valuable Melezitose much 

 sought after in the chemical trade. (See Journal of the American Chemical So- 

 ciety. \'ol. XL, Xo. 9, litis.) I have observed the presence of a sugar secretion 

 on the needles of the Douglat fir in laaho and Montana, but it is of rare oc- 

 curence, and is not apt to he found in sufficient quantities to be of any commer- 

 cial importance. 



Very truly yours, 



Jamks R. Weir. 



Xi;\\ Zi:.\i..\.\i) ivi;i (>Ri;sT.\Ti()x 



The Xew Zealand I'arlianieiit has a])propriated $()!)!. 2.j7 to be de- 

 voted to the de\elopment of reforestation and to look after the existing 

 ("loveniineni forests. It is projiosed to utilize at least 'i. 000,000 acres 

 for reforestation at as earl}- a p'.-riod as possible, and this allowance is 

 to assist in getting some of the land in shape. 



95 



