NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



395 



of a mixture containing 3-6 per cent, nitrogen, 8 per cent, phosphoric acid, and 

 I2'8 per cent, potash, and furnishes 0-45 lb. nitrogen, 0-94 lb. phosphoric acid, 

 and i- 5 lb. potash a tree, or 62- 62 lb. nitrogen, 131 -5 lb. phosphoric acid, 

 and 209 lb. potash annually an acre. 



Results showed that the response of the trees to fertilization was prompt 

 and conclusive. Check rows were originally left unfertilized, but the unfertilized 

 trees proved a dead loss to the owners. From analysis of results it appears that 

 trees receiving the complete fertilizer produced a decidedly greater return and 

 made better growth than those receiving only two elements. 



No nitrogen gave the poorest yield. No potash bore more than plots given 

 no phosphoric acid or those given no nitrogen. 



The average weight of the fruit was heavier where no nitrogen was given 

 than where phosphoric acid or potash was omitted. Potash was tried in the form 

 of muriate and as sulphate, and proved to have practically identical results in 

 the two forms. 



Nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda or of sulphate of ammonia proved 

 to be equally efficacious, but in the form of dried blood was not so good. 



Thorough cultivation and subsoil drainage will materially lessen the quantities 

 of fertilizer required. — M. L. H. 



Citrus-Fruit. By A. D. Shamel (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Farm. Bull. 794, pp. 1-16, 

 4 figs.). — Deterioration in the Californian Citrus orchards is due to the 

 propagation of undesirable strains resulting from bud variation. It is desirable 

 to keep a record of the yield of each tree. Only fruit-bearing bud~wood from 

 good trees is used for propagation : the poor trees are top-grafted with selected 

 buds. The spring period of growth is the best period for this operation. — 5. E. W. 



Clematis. By Hort (Le Jard. vol. xxxiii. p. 342). — Clematis Spooneri, a recent 

 introduction from China, is a variety of C. montana, from which it is distinguished 

 by the larger size of its white flowers. It comes into flower a fortnight later 

 than C. montana, and owing to the greater substance of its petals the flowers 

 are more lasting. It will replace C. montana grandifiora and C. Wilsonii. 



C. Spooneri rosea is a hybrid of Spooneri and C. montana rubens. It possesses 

 the luxuriant foliage and large flowers of Spooneri and owes the intense pink 

 colour of its flowers to C. montana rubens. — 5. E. W. 



Clematis montana. By F. Morel (Rev. Hort. vol. xci. pp. 258-230 ; 1 fig.). — ■ 

 Clematis montana and its derivatives provide a succession of flowers from April 

 to October. The season begins with C. montana rubens in April, it is followed 

 in May by montana grandifiora and its hybrids repente montana rubens in various 

 shades, and repente montana grandifiora with its pure white flowers. June brings 

 the repens type. Montana rubens and repente montana rubens bear a second crop 

 of flowers in July and August. Some specimens flower as late as October. 



5. E. W. 



Coal or Coke Dust. By S. Mottet (Rev. Hort. vol. xc. pp. 173-174). — 

 Economy in heating the greenhouse can be effected by mixing coal or coke 

 dust with 15-20 per cent, of clay. Sufficient water is added to form a thick paste, 

 and this is either rolled into balls or poured into flower-pots three inches in 

 diameter. It is ready for use when dry. — 5. E. W. 



Codling Moth, The, and its Control in the Western Province. By F. W. 



Pettey (Dep. Agr. S. Africa, Science Bull. No. 9, 1916 ; pp. 3-48, 7 figs.). — 

 An investigation determining the life-history of the Codling Moth, made necessary 

 by its increase in S. Africa. A large orchard near Elsenburg was used for working 

 the life-history under out-of-doors conditions, with the help of breeding cages on 

 the trees and in a small structure. 



There are usually two generations in the year, but many larvae hibernate in 

 the second generation, and a few partially complete the third generation. 



Spraying was performed on four sections of the orchard, each section being 

 sprayed 1-4 times respectively with Swift's arsenate of lead paste, z\ lb. to 

 50 gallons of water for the first spray, and 2 lb. to 50 gallons for the successive 

 sprays. 



The nozzle was held close to fruit clusters to get a straight drive into every 

 calyx cup, and also on the under-surface of leaves. 



All sprayings were done as soon as blossoms dropped, and the results show 

 the advisability of spraying three times to control the two generations. 



Grease bands caught 53 per cent, of the larvae, and were only useful if the spray- 

 ings were not properly applied. The only important parasite is a chalcid, Tricho- 



VOL. XLV. 2 D 



