Notes and Gleanings. 237 



Christiana. — This variety was originated by the late Capt. Josiah Lovett of 

 Beverly, Mass. Form roundish ; size rather small, average specimens measur- 

 ing nearly the same as the green citron ; skin yellowish-green ; flesh yellow, 

 sweet, juicy, and of good quality. Its early maturity is its principal recommen- 

 dation ; the green citron, nutmeg, and many other varieties, surpassing it in 

 firmness of flesh, sweetness, and general e.xcellence. 



It would probably ripen at the North, or in short seasons, when other sorts 

 generally failed. 



Worms in Strawberries. — During a very dry spell of weather in October, 

 I planted five hundred Wilson's Seedling, and three hundred Triomphe de Gand ; 

 the first-named on the western portion of my garden, and the latter on the eastern. 

 They were planted in hills (the ground having been prepared in August), spaded 

 thirty inches deep, and manured with leaf-mould and hen-manure ; both squares 

 receiving the same treatment. In the first-named square, tomatoes and corn had 

 been raised ; on the eastern square, okra had been cultivated. As it was dry 

 weather when the plants were received and transplanted, the leaves and roots 

 were clipped very close ; but, with daily waterings,. the plants grew, a very few 

 dying, and, up to first of January, were thriving — the Wilson's blossoming, and 

 several plants having berries. I noted a number of the blossoms on the Wilson's 

 falling aside, and the new leaves also dying ; and I examined several i^lants, and 

 found worms were eating them, buds and plants. The worms were of several 

 kinds, the largest of a dun-color, and another, a size smaller, of a black hue 

 (probably the male and female), and numerous small ones of various colors, — 

 black, brown, and red. 



The square of Wilson was badly affected by these worms, that resembled 

 a cabbage-worm nearer than any worm I know of. I wish to know how to rid 

 my plants of these pests. And can any one account for the reason they are on 

 the Wilson plants, and not at all on a square of Russell's Prolific adjoining, 

 although the Russell are full of young berries and blossoms, and the foliage 

 much more luxuriant ? Nor are they on any other variety of berries on my place. 

 The Triomphe de Gand plants came from same place, were treated in every 

 respect the same ; the only difference being, one was on the eastern, and the 

 other on tlie western side of the garden. yohn Hicksoii. 



Mobile, Ala., January, 1868. 



Test for Alkalies. — A new and highly sensitive re-agent for alkalies and 

 alkaline earths has recently been discovered by Prof. Bottger, in the leaves of 

 Colcus Vcrschaffeltii. The re-agent is prepared by digesting the fully-developed 

 leaves of this plant in alcohol, and impregnating slips of Swedish filter-paper 

 with the solution obtained. This test-paper is of a beautiful red color, which 

 becomes green under the influence of an alkali or alkaline earth. It is not 

 affected by free carbonic acid ; so that it may be used for detecting carbonate 

 of lime in water. 



