NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



353 



Sugar-cane Industry, and Experiments (W. Ind. Bull. vol. vi. 

 No. 4, 1906). — This number is devoted entirely to reports and papers on 

 the sugar-cane industry in the West Indies. — M. C. G. 



Sugar-cane, Review of the Insect Pests. By H. A. Ballou, 

 B.Sc. (W. Ind. Bull. vol. vi. No. 1, 1905). — This communication includes 

 descriptions of the "moth borer," the "hard back," the "weevil borer," 

 the "root borer," the "cane fly," scale insects, the "shot borer," the 

 larger moth borer (chiefly devoted to the latter), called Castnia licus, 

 with the latest information relating thereto. — M. C. C. 



Sugar-cane, Review of the principal Fungoid Diseases. By 



L. Lewton-Brain, B.A., F.L.S. (W. Lid. Bull. vol. vi. No. 1, 1905).— This 

 notice includes three diseases of the sugar-cane, called respectively " rind 

 disease" (Trichosplmria sacchari), "pineapple disease" (TJiielaviopsis 

 ethaceticus), which attacks cane-cuttings, and "root disease" caused by 

 Marasmius sacchari ; the whole supplemented by a bibliography of 

 sugar-cane diseases. — M. C. C. 



Sugar-cane, Top-rot Disease (Qu. Agr. Joum. vol. xvi. part 8, 

 May 1S06). — Summary of the top-rot disease of sugar-cane in Queens- 

 land. Gives particulars of the disease, its appearance, distribution, 

 damage, and methods for checking it. It is not a constitutioDal malady, 

 but essentially a root disease, due to a chemical change initiated by the 

 secretion of a parasitic fungus. First recognised near the centre of the 

 heart of the stalk, or young sprout ; the leaves are paler than usual, 

 the leaf-sheaths are discoloured, the stalks become brownish, and finally 

 collapse. Some growers hold that the disease travels from plant to plant. 

 Insufficient drainage appears to have much to do with the outbreak of 

 disease. — M. C. C. 



Swainsonia maccullochiana. By T. A. Sprague (Bot. Mag. 

 tab. 7995). — Nat. ord. Leguminosce, tribe Colutece ; North- West Australia. 

 An erect, sparsely pubescent shrub, 8 feet high. Leaves with 8-13 pairs 

 of leaflets, racemes of many large reddish-purple flowers. — G. II. 



Sweet Potatoes. By D. M. Nesbit ( U.S.A. Dep. Agr. Farmers' Bull. 

 129 ; 1902). — This article treats of Ipomcea Batatas from an economic 

 point of view. Interest in this tuberous root as an article of food has 

 greatly increased of late, with the result that varieties and methods of 

 propagation, harvesting, shipping, and cooking have been improved. 

 Inventors are actively improving machinery and processes for the 

 production and utilisation of the by-products, such as flour, starch, 

 glucose and alcohol, and lastly the value of both the vines and roots 

 for stock feeding is only beginning to be understood. 



The sweet potato requires a warm climate, with a temperature not 

 lower than 45°, and is perennial where there is no frost. It does not 

 suffer from drought, but from excessive rainfall and over-irrigation. A 

 well-drained, light, sandy loam meets its needs, with potash, nitrogen, 

 and phosphoric acid as fertilisers. 



Propagation is effected by rooted sprouts, cuttings, or pieces of the 



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