588 



Miscellaneous Notes. 



[OCT., 



one variety was fertilised with pollen from a number of others distinct 

 differences were found in the number of fruits set from the different 

 crosses and in the average weight of the produce. The suitability of 

 varieties for crossing is a matter for investigation, but it is pointed out 

 that in planting varieties together their pollen-producing qualities should 

 be taken into consideration, as well as their commercial value, while 

 it is important that they should come into blossom at about the same 

 time, or at any rate that their blossoming periods should overlap. 



In the course of these investigations some experiments were made 

 to ascertain the part played by the wind and by bees in pollenising 

 fruit trees. Small glass slides 1x3 in. in size, smeared with vaseline, 

 were placed at distances varying from 4 to 30 ft. from large trees in an 

 orchard, and at heights from the ground level to 9 ft. After an 

 exposure of twenty-four hours the number of pollen grains found on 

 each slide varied from 7 to 16. The trees were in the height of their, 

 blooming period, and a strong wind was blowing, so that it is con- 

 cluded that the wind cannot be relied upon to transfer pollen from 

 tree to tree. To confirm the point the blossoms of a tree were 

 emasculated and the petals, by which bees are attracted, were removed. 

 During the whole period that the pistils of these blossoms remained 

 receptive only eight bees were seen to visit the tree, while more than 

 twice that number were seen in half an hour on a tree that blossomed 

 profusely 20 ft. away. Out of 1,500 blossoms emasculated only five set 

 fruit, from which it is concluded that fertilisation is almost entirely 

 dependent on bees and other insects. 



Many of the varieties experimented with are not much known in 

 this country, but among those found to be self-sterile, that is, needing 

 cross-pollination, were Bottle Greening, Canada Reinette, Gravenstein, 

 Holland Pippin, Jonathan, King of Tompkins Co., Monmouth Pippin, 

 Rhode Island Greening, Summer Pearmain, Twenty Ounce, Winesap, 

 and York Imperial. 



Among self-fertile varieties were Baldwin, Keswick Codlin, Duchess 

 of Oldenburg, White Pippin, and Yellow Newtown, and among partially 

 self-fertile varieties were Ben Davis and Canada Red. 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



Exportation of Horses from Great Britain. — The Board of Agricul- 

 ture and Fisheries desire to call the attention of persons concerned in 

 the exportation of horses, asses, or mules 

 Importation and from Great Britain, and of the public 

 Other Regulations. generally, to the provisions of the Diseases 

 of Animals Act, 19 10, which came into 

 operation on October 1st, 19 10. The Act provides, inter alia, for the 

 examination immediately before shipment by a Veterinary Inspector 

 appointed by the Board, at the owner's expense, of all horses, asses, 

 or mules shipped from Great Britain to any port outside the British 

 Islands. An exception is made in the case of the shipment of any 

 thoroughbred horse certified by the Jockey Club to be travelling for 

 certain purposes, and in such cases as may be prescribed by Order 

 of the Board. 



