152 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



do not venture far, and during short snatches of sunshine would probably not 

 visit flowers more than 100 yards distant, unless there is blossom to lead them on. 



The bee is guided to the blossom by the sense of smell rather than that of 

 sight. When a hive is located half-a-mile away from trees, the bees cannot 

 be counted on as pollinators during unfavourable weather. The hives are best 

 placed in a sheltered position, where they are shaded in summer, but have the 

 full benefit of sunshine in winter and spring. This is most easily accomplished 

 by putting them under trees which shed their leaves. 



Observations made in the United States in recent years show that the nearer 

 the bees to the trees the better the crop of fruit. 



There are as yet no data available as to the number of hives required to 

 furnish bees for pollinating the blossoms of a given number of trees under various 

 weather conditions. Naturally a smaller number is sufficient during fine weather. 

 It is certain that the more bees that are kept the better the results. There is, 

 however, a limitation to the number of colonies a fruit-grower can keep per- 

 manently in his orchard, as the amount of bee food within the range of the bees' 

 flight during the remainder of the year must be sufficient to maintain them and to 

 provide winter stores. 



Bees are valuable to cranberries. At Cape Cod on one side of a field of 126 

 acres of cranberries there were three or four colonies of bees, which were obviously 

 inadequate to cover the whole field. The yield was found to be in direct proportion 

 to the proximity of such acreage to the bees. The yield was heaviest close to the 

 hives, and was fighter as the distance from the hives increased. — C. H. H. 



Bee-keeping in Porto Rico. By E. F. Phillips (U.S.A. Exp. Stn., Porto Rico, 

 Bull. 15, pp. 1-24 ; 4 figs.). — In coffee and citrus plantations bees are valuable 

 aids to cross pollination. — S. E. W. 



Begonia manicata. By Ad. van den Heede (Rev. Hort. Beige, April 1914, 

 p. 123). — A note on the Begonia manicata and B. manicata alba, an interesting 

 species which was introduced from Mexico in 1842, and which might be more 

 generally cultivated. The plants are suited to the temperate house, and will 

 even grow out of doors in summer. — M. L. H. 



Birch, Black-knot of. By G. Massee (Kew Bull. 191 4, p. 322 ; fig.). — 

 The first symptom of this disease is the wilting and yellowing of the leaves, followed 

 by the death of the branch, after which numerous lateral branches spring out 

 below the dead one, the leading one in turn falling a victim, until a tuft bearing a 

 superficial resemblance to a witch's broom is produced. The cause is said to be 

 the fungus Plowrightia virgultorum. — F. J. C. 



Cacao, The Budding of. By Joseph Jones (Jour. Imp. Dep. Agr. W.I., 

 vol. xiv. No. 3, 1914 ; pp. 181-186). — A certain measure of success has been 

 achieved in budding of cacao stocks growing in bamboo pots. The method 

 which yielded the highest percentage of success was that of patch budding. 

 In this form of budding a portion of the bark is removed from the stock and 

 a similar piece with an eye is carefully fitted in its place. When in position the 

 bud is tied with raffia and then wrapped with budding tape in order to protect 

 the scion and to exclude air and moisture. In about ten days the bud may 

 be examined, and if signs of union are observed the tying may be cut or loosened 

 and the tape again wrapped loosely around the stem as a protection for a few 

 days longer until the bud can be exposed. When the young shoots have attained 

 a length of from six to eight inches and become hardened the upper part of 

 the stock may be removed. 



This method of propagation is considered much better than relying solely 

 upon seedlings, as all the latter do not yield either the same quality or quantity 

 of seed. At present the best stock is Theobroma Cacao ' Calabacillo,' though 

 a hardier stock is to be desired. 



The length of time over which the trees may be considered commercially 

 productive is from thirty to thirty-five years from first bearing. — A . A. K. 



Ceratostigma Willmottianum (Bot. Mag. tab. 8591). China. Nat. Ord. 

 Plumb aginaceae, tribe Plumbagineae. Shrub, freely branching. Leaves sessile, 

 1 £-2 inches long. Heads terminal. Corolla f inch across, bright blue. — G. H. 



Citrus Canker. By H. E. Stevens (U.S.A. Agr. Exp. Stn., Florida, Bull. 

 122, March 191 4, pp. 11 2-1 18 ; 4 figs.j. — A disease which attacks the leaves, 

 shoots, twigs, and fruit of the Citrus, especially the grape fruit. It appears to be 



