a 
F aaa cb NOTES ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH. 63 
Notes on Scientific Research in the Domain of the 
Terpenes and Essential Oils. 
General. 
Trial cultivation in Usumbwa. 
In a report by H. L. Hammerstein‘) on part of the trial cultivations hitherto carried 
out in the Tabora district, Usumbwa territory, German East Africa, we likewise find 
something interesting for our special domain, e.g. that betel pepper (Piper Betle, L.) 
prospers fairly well in soil to which lime has been added. It climbs on Ficus species, 
but is very sensitive as regards intense insolation. | | 
The Juniperus procera”) trees (Usambara cedar), now 2 years old, are of vigorous 
growth and have attained a height of 1m. The prolonged drought in that region has 
not had any influence on their development. All Hucalyptus species have much to 
suffer from termites. Two year old specimens of Eucalyptus robusta and rudis have 
now attained a height of up to 4m., and the diameter of the trunks comes to about 
10cm. Citronella grass prospers; the propagation is effected by suckers. Andropogon 
citratus is indicated as mother plant, so that there seems to be a confusion with 
lemongrass. 
Grafted young Italian lemon trees, received from Amani in December, blossomed 
after barely 3 years, and some formed fruit. Plants derived from seeds are still far 
behindhand. Limetta trees grow rather slowly. Genuine, grafted Italian orange trees 
flourish best. Seedlings grow very slowly at first; the seeds often take 5 to 6 months 
to germinate. Mandarine trees get on slowly and are highly sensitive as regards 
burning sunshine. The nutmeg trees died. Ginger grows slowly; cardamoms flourish 
better. Caraway and anise do not form seed; coriander grows well. Many other 
plants of the spice and kitchen herb line flourish well or in any case satisfactorily, 
f.i. balm (melissa), chervil, fennel, dill, marjoram, thyme, estragon, satureja, and parsley. 
Cultivation of medicinal plants. 
From E. Senft’s*) communications on trial cultivation of medicinal plants at 
Korneuburg in 1913, we gather some data of general interest concerning aromatic 
plants. Fromthe group of vegetal parasites, Puccinia Menthae ought to be mentioned. 
Japanese peppermint suffered most from it. Leaf-lice (Aphis Angelicae and Ligustici) 
caused damage in angelica and lovage fields. 
Larvae of beetles (Agriotes) and multipeds (Blanjulus) damaged angelica roots. 
In autumn 1912, angelica seed was sown on a small piece of land; during the spring 
following the plants developed fairly well, but later on large gaps appeared, owing to 
the damage done by multipeds. Many rootlets were much eaten; the main roots, 
1) Der Pflanzer 10 (1914), 224. — %) The wood of Juniperus procera is used in the manufacture of 
lead-pencils. Comp. Report October 1911, 106. — %) Zeitschr. f. d. landwirtsch. Versuchsw. in Osterreich, 1914, 
Part 3/4. Mitteilungen des Komitees zur staatlichen Férderung der Kultur von Arznetpflanzen in Osterreich Nr. 17. 
From a reprint kindly sent us. 
