NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



797 



Grape Investig-ations : Resistant Stocks, &c. By G. C. Hus- 



mann {U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. Ind., Bull. 172, Aug. 1910; plates 

 and map). — The most important means of overcoming Phylloxera, next 

 to flooding the vineyards, is the use of resistant stocks. Of the twenty- 

 three species of vine native in North America, where Phylloxera is also 

 native, fourteen are sufficiently resistant for use as stocks. These are 

 described and their foliage figured in the bulletin. They are Vitis 

 Lahrusca (Northern fox-grape), V. candicans (Mustang grape), V. aesti- 

 valis, V. Linsecomii, V. monticola, V. Berlandieri, V. cordifolia, 

 V. cinerea {=V. riparia), V. Champini, V. Doaniana, V. Longii, 

 V. rupestris, V. vulpina, and V. hicolor. A large number of hybrids 

 have also been raised, which have proved resistant. The work on 

 which progress is reported here is directed to ascertain which varieties 

 of vine {V. vinifera) are best adapted to various soils, climates, and other 

 conditions (which can be fairly readily forecasted), and particularly 

 which stocks are congenial to the scions under these varying conditions. 

 The rooting qualities and ease of grafting vary greatly in different 

 species, and the hybrids vary in these and other characters from their 

 parents. 



It is found that cuttings of V. monticola, Berlcmdieri, aestivalis, 

 Linsecomii, hicolor, and candicans are difficult to root; V. riparia roots 

 readily, but is not suited to Cahfornian conditions; V. rupestris roots 

 and grafts well, but is not congenial to many varieties of grapes, and 

 the time of fruit-ripening is delayed. F. riparia, 7. Berlandieri, and 

 V. Champini are usually congenial to varieties of grapes, and the fruit- 

 fulness of the grape upon them is usually increased and the time of 

 ripening hastened. It is thought that hybrids between V. rupestris 

 and V. riparia will eventually prove 'the Best stocks for Californian 

 grapes. — F. J. G. 



Green Manuring" of Orchards. By E. E. Prescott {Jour, of Vict, 



March 1910, p. 158).— Sow in autumn leguminous crops, field peas, 

 vetches, tares, beans, lupins, cow peas, seed liberally, and 1 cwt. super- 

 phosphate or bone meal. When crop is in flowering stage, roll and 

 plough in, using circular coulter in front of the plough-share. If dry 

 weather follow, well harrow and roll, to retain moisture. Humus and 

 nitrogen are added and physical texture of soil improved.— C. li. H. 



Hazel, Birch, and Alders {Oester. Gart. Zeit. vol.^ v. parts vi., 

 vii. and x. , pp. 216-222, 255-259 and 368-371).— The family Betulaceae 

 contains six genera. Ostropsis Bavidiana is a shrub widely distri- 

 buted in Asia. Ostrya Knowltonii is only found in the Grand Cafion, 

 Colorado. 0. carpinifolia is found in the countries bordering on the 

 Mediterranean. 0. virginiana, met with- in many gardens, is a native 

 of North America, extending from New Brunswick to Wyoming and 

 North Mexico; a sub-species, guatemalensis, occurs in Mexico, Costa 

 Rica, and Guatemala. About 200 species of Garipmis are known. The 

 common Hornbeam and its varieties incisa, pendula, and purpurea are 

 well known. C. japonica and C. cordata are beautiful JapniK^se 



