NOTES 743 



insisted that a high lattice fence be built about it to avert any damage 

 from wind or carelessness, and it was feared that this might interfere 

 with the health of the valuable producer and two years ago the lattice 

 work was removed, causing a cancellation of the insurance policy. 

 CXher alligator pear trees in southern California produce large returns, 

 but none so far has rivalled the Cantor tree, the fruits from which sell 

 at from 50 cents to $1 each. 



The Riordon Pulp and Paper Company last winter conducted a 

 night school for its employees. Classes were held in English, mathe- 

 matics, chemistry, physics, mechanical drawing, and first aid. No 

 fees were charged, the company bearing all expenses, and members of 

 the technical stafif giving their time and services as instructors free. 

 Out of a total of about 50 students who started attending the classes. 

 33 finished the courses and qualified for diplomas, the remainder being 

 compelled to drop out because of illness or owing to leaving town. 

 This result would appear to justif}- a repetition of the school this com- 

 ing year. 



French chemists a year or two ago reported the manufacture of 

 toluol, which is much needed now for explosives, from spruce turpen- 

 tine by subjecting it to the combined action of benzol and aluminum 

 chloride. The process has been checked up through experiments by 

 A. S. Wheeler, of the l^niversity of North Carolina, and the experi- 

 ments are being carried further in the endeavor to improve the com- 

 mercial yield. The other product of this reaction, cumol, may also be 

 used to produce benzoic acid, which has hitherto been produced from 

 toluol. Spruce tur])entinc. differing considerably from the ordinary 

 ])ine turpentine, is not suited to all the same commercial uses. 



Senator King has introduced a bill providing that the offices of the 

 Commissioner of Indian .\fifairs and the National Park Service, the 

 Commissioner of the T.and Office, the Geological Survey, the Bureau 

 of Alines, and the Reclamation Service shall be transferred to branch 

 offices west of the Mississippi KiviT. at i)laces to be designated by the 

 President. 



I'oint i'elce, the most soiUlurly portit)n of Canadian territory, jutting 

 oiU frcjni the lake vliore of h'ssex Countv. ( )ntario, into Lake Erie for 



