222 



By this process from 8 to 9.4 per cent, of crystallized sugar was ob- 

 tained from juice holding in solution not exceeding 13 per cent. These 

 results are certainly very encouraging. 



These successful experiments are the first fruits of our system of ag- 

 ricultural colleges, and indicate very clearly an important feature in 

 their mission. 



We commend the report of Professor Goessmann to the attention of 

 all who wish to investigate the beet-sug^r question. The ultimate suc- 

 cess of this enterprise in our country is suspended chiefly on the chem- 

 ical questions involved in separation and crystallization of the sugar, 

 and that these will ultimately meet a favorable solution at the hand of 

 science, no longer admits of a rational doubt. The high price of labor 

 in this country, which is frequently urged as being fatal to the enter- 

 l)rise, is fully offset by the price of sugar here as compared with tke 

 European market. Add to this the fact that in Germany and France 

 the beet crop pays from $40 to $50 per acre tax to the government, and 

 the preponderance will be fairly on our side. 



BOTANICAL NOTES. 



BY GEORGE VASEY, BOTANIST. 



LiATRis ODORATissoiA, WUld. — This plant, which is a native of the 

 Southerft States, has been the subject of some recent inquiries. It 

 grows in low, sandy woods from Southern Virginia to Florida. It is 

 known by several local names, as wild vanilla, deer's-tongue, and sea 

 lavender. The leaves have a strong vanilla odor. The plant grows 

 three to four feet high, with a simple straight stalk, terminated by a 

 corymb of bright purple flowers. It belongs to a genus which is repre- 

 sented by eighteen or twenty species in the Southern States, none of 

 which are specially odorous except this one. Several species are found in 

 the Northern, and several in the Western States. They all have showy 

 purple flowers, some of them in long spikes, and are known by several 

 local names, as button snake root, blazing star, &c. The leaves of the 

 first-mentioned species (L. odoratissima) have been employed to give a 

 pleasant fragrance to tobacco and cigars. They are brought to market in 

 small bales. The lower leaves of the plant are about six inches long by 

 three inches broad. It is said to be very abundant in Florida. We are 

 not informed as to the market price of the leaves, but do not doubt that 

 it depends much upon their mode of cure and their soundness. P'or 

 wrappers of cigars the leaves would need to be sound and unbroken. 



Probably if the plant were submitted to cultivation, and the stalk cut 

 back so as to favor the development of large leaves, it might be impro%^ed 

 in quality and value. We would be glad to see its use extended, for it 

 has no hurtful properties, and since it improves the flavor of tobacco, 

 the more of it employed in the manufacture of that article the better. 



Shahe and ornamental, trees. — We have yet much to learn, or 

 perhaps we should say much to practice, with regard to suitable shade 

 and ornamental trees in cities. In some instances it seems to have been 

 the rule to plant anything that could be easily procured, particularly if 

 recommended as a rapid-growing tree. Hence so many of our streets 

 have been overrun with the ailantus, so sadly misnamed the " tree of 

 heaven." Its very disagreeable odor at flowering time has caused a raid 

 which threatens to result in its extermination. The next raid M'ill 



