RECENT SCIENTIFIC NOTES. 615 
into use, and may readily be known by the elusters of seeds it bears, 
similar to those of some species of the ash family. There are few trees 
more valuable for timber than the ailantus. The wood has much of the 
same properties as the chestnut, and is equally durabie, grows with as 
great rapidity, and in its native country obtains a height of between 
two hundred and three hundred feet. It is said to be well adapted to 
growth on the western prairies, and will undoubtediy perform an 
important part in clothing them with forest vegetation. 
Propagation of the grape by eyes —A German agricultural journal in- 
forms us that the grape-vine can be propagated by means of eyes, so as 
to save three years’ time in the growth, each eye furnishing a new shoot. 
Hach grape-vine will furnish as many shoots as it has sound eyes, and 
‘they are to be eut off about a quarter of an inch from the eye on each 
side, so as to leave a cylinder of wood about half an inch long, with the 
eye in the center. If prepared in the autumn, these eyes may be putin 
a cellar in winter. In April they are to be laid down, at a depth of two 
or three inches, in furrows about six inches apart, and covered with a 
little manure, watered in dry weather, and the earth about them occa- 
sionally loosened. 3 
Cinchona in Java.—According to Professor Hasskarl, the cultivation 
of cinchona in Java continues to be a success, the weather having been 
favorable and the growth of the plant perfectly satisfactory. The num- 
ber of plants obtained from seeds and layers was about one and a half 
million, principally of the species C. calisaya; eight hundred and sev- 
enty thousand were transplanted in addition, and over one thousand 
pounds of the dry bark were sent to Holland in 1869, bringing from 
thirty-six to fifty-four cents per pound. The total product of 1870 is 
estimated at eight thousand eight hundred pounds for exportation, 
besides some hundreds for home use in the island. 
Circulation in planis.—In conducting experiments upon the transpira- 
tion of fluid by leaves, it is a matter of importance to determine the 
rapidity of ascent of the fluid. Professor Church suggests for this pur- 
pose the use of lithium citrate, a salt easily taken up by plants, and one 
which can be detected with the greatest readiness by means of the 
spectroscope. Its advantages consist in its containing an organic acid, 
and in its not being likely to meet with any obstruction to its passage 
from the tissues. An experiment has been lately made with this liquid, 
as suggested, with great success; in one instance the fluid having risen 
nine inches in thirty minutes, in another five and a half inches in ten 
minutes. This is thought superior to the use of coloring matters, which 
have seemed to experience considerable resistance in their passage 
through the vessels. 
Watering plants with hot water.—It has lately been shown, by careful 
experiment, that sickly potted plants, even some that have almost died, 
can be greatly benefited, and sometimes, indeed, entirely restored 
to vigor, by applying to them warm instead of cold water. In certain 
cases, oleanders which have never bloomed, or which have done so only 
imperfectly, after being treated with lukewarm water, increasing the 
temperature gradually from 140° to 170° F., produced the most magnifi- 
cent luxuriance of bloom. Similar results oceurred with an old plant 
of Hoya; and also with an India-rubber tree which had nearly withered 
away. In all these cases the application of water heated to about 1109 
F., without any other precaution, caused a new and flourishing growth. 
Giant marmont potato —A potato known as the Giant Marmont is 
