ABSTRACTS. 



1195 



price, and that only those with capital and patience can hope for 

 success. — C. W. D. 



Spain and Portugal. By M. J. Daveau {Ann. Soc. He. May 1902, 

 p. 102). — Notes of flowers observed in a tour across these countries. 



C. W. D. 



Sparrows in Tunis. Ed. (Le Jard. Oct. 20, 1902, p. 307).— By a 

 decree of the Regency of Tunis, 1892, every proprietor or tenant occupying 

 land is bound to destroy all the nests and broods of sparrows on his 

 holding from April 1 to June 30 in each year. Anyone neglecting this 

 may have a written notice served upon him to perform the duty within 

 forty-eight hours, under pain of a fine and of having the destruction effected 

 at his expense. — C. W. D. 



Spruce Gall Chermes. By Martin Duncan (Gard. Mag. No. 2546, 

 p. 529; 16/8/1902). — An illustrated account of this very common insect 

 pest (Chermes abietis), which attacks chiefly the Norway Spruce (Picea 

 excelsa). The cone-like galls, the results of the insect's attacks, are to be 

 seen in most plantations of Spruce in this country, but fortunately it does 

 not appear to attack the rarer species of Picea and Abies. The remedy 

 given by the writer, which is that of dipping the infested parts in an 

 infusion of soft soap, tobacco, and bitter aloes, is, of course, only prac- 

 ticable in the case of a specimen tree. — W. G. 



Strawberry-growing in Kentucky. By C. W. Matthews (U.S.A. 

 Exp. Stn. Kentucky, Hep. 1898). — Gives an account of Strawberry culture 

 in Kentucky and notes of 65 varieties.— F. J. C. 



Strawberry Industry. By H. J. Wright (Gard. Mag. No. 2549, 

 p. 582; 6/9/1902).— An interesting and instructive article upon the 

 important industry of Strawberry culture for market, both under glass 

 and in the open air. The account deals with the varieties chiefly grown, 

 as well as the chief centres of the industry. Numerous illustrations are 

 given with the article, including reproductions of photographs of boxes 

 and baskets of fruit packed for market. — W. G. 



Sugar-Beets in Montana. By F. W. Traphagen (U.S.A. Agr. Exp. 

 Stn. Montana, Ball. 33, Jan. 1902). — A general resume of the results of 

 careful experiments, conducted during 1901 in three different localities in 

 Montana, in connection with the growing of Sugar-Beets. 



Even in former cases, where the Beets were only grown by the farmer 

 to accommodate the Experiment Station, and where they did not receive 

 any particular care, the results were very striking ; much more so when 

 attention was given to careful culture. The yield, sugar-content, and 

 purity were found to be of a far higher standard than the minimum 

 adopted by Sugar-Beet experts. The bulletin concludes with a series of 

 tables dealing with the averages obtained in various counties, under the 

 headings of yield per acre, sugar-content, purity, &c, and also a com- 

 parison of the yields in Montana with those of other countries, notably 

 Germany and France, showing that notwithstanding increased yields in 



