NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 
241 
Raisin Industry, The. By George C. Husmann (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. 
PI. Ind., Bull. 349, Washington, March 1916 ; figs.). — An account of the origin 
and growth and of the present condition of the raisin -growing industry in Cali-^ 
fornia. The first introduction of raisin grapes into California was in 1851* 
The industry has fluctuated in importance and profitableness, but is firmly 
established, and California now produces three times as many raisins as Spain. 
The requirements of the home market are already supplied, and if the demand 
became greater it would be quite easy enormously to increase the production. 
The bulletin describes the methods of culture and of drying, and gives exact 
descriptions of the varieties grown. So far the currant grape has only been 
planted in small quantities, but efforts are being made to encourage this branch 
of the industry also. — M. L. H, 
Rhododendron sphaeranthum (Irish Gard. xii. p. 133, Sept. 1917).— A new 
and interesting Chinese shrub collected by George Forrest in the mountains 
west of the Fengken Valley, in June 191 4, at an altitude of twelve to thirteen 
thousand feet. — E. T. E. 
Ringing, Effect of, on Movement of Sugar, &c. By Shin-ichi Hibino (Jour. 
Coll. Sci. Tokyo, xxxix. pt. 5, March 1917 ; plates). — Unfortunately in German, 
this well-illustrated article is of considerable horticultural value. Leaves on 
portions of stems ringed by removal of bark showed abnormal development 
of anthocyanin both above and below the ringing, and other differences in rate 
of development and size of leaves were noted. Careful comparisons of the 
extent of development of callus and so on, as well as rate of thickening above 
and below the ring, and quantity of reserve material in stem and leaf above 
and below are also made.- — F. J. C. 
Rosa, Imperfection of Pollen and Mutability in the Genus. By Ruth D. 
Cole (Bot. Gaz. vol. lxiii. No. 2, Feb. 1917; pp. no). — The examination of a 
large number of species of Rosa has shown a great amount of abortive pollen, 
and also great variability in the genus. Both of these factors point to the 
species as being largely of hybrid origin. The writer concludes that " the muta- 
bility of the species of Rosa cannot properly be used in support of the mutation 
hypothesis, since this phenomenon is obviously the result of hybrid contamination 
in nature." — R. J. L. 
Rose, Bacterial Disease of. By E. E. Pescott (Jour. Agr. Vict. Dec. 191 6, 
p. 767). — In the case of a new disease in roses, in which the young shoots and 
leaves shrivel, turn black, and die, followed by death of main shoot, and lastly 
the whole plants, it is found that painting the stems of affected plants with per- 
manganate of potash (half ounce to gallon water) has resulted in good recovery. 
Three or four applications are necessary at intervals of about a fortnight ; avoid 
letting the solution drop on the foliage more than is unavoidable. — C. H. H, 
Rose Chafer, The, a Destructive Garden and Greenhouse Pest. By F. H. 
Chittenden (U.S.A. Dep. Agr. y Bur. Enlom., Farm. Bull. 721 ; April 1916; 4 figs.). 
-—The rose and grape vine are the greatest sufferers from attacks by this insect ; 
but it is also very destructive to fruit, shade, and other trees and shrubs. In 
times of great abundance these insects completely destroy flowers, peas, beans, 
and nearly all garden fruits and vegetables, corn, wheat, and grasses. They 
consume alike blossoms, leaves, and fruit. 
It is one of the most difficult insects to control successfully, and a thoroughly 
effective remedy has yet to be discovered. — V. G. J. 
San Jose Scale, Observations and Experiments on the. By Stephen A. 
Forbes (U.S.A. Exp. Sin., III., Bull. 180; March 1915; 3 figs.). — Experiments 
with infested ripe apples show that the San Jose scale may live and reproduce 
freely on such fruits plucked from the tree and kept at ordinary room tempera- 
tures, and that living young may continue to be born under such conditions 
during a period of eight weeks. Infested apples taken from cold storage in 
December gave similar results, young being produced on these apples for twenty- 
five days. — V. G. J. 
Scots Pine, Some Observations on the Entomology of the. By J. W. Munro 
(Trans. Roy. Scot. Arb. Soc. vol. xxx. pp. 114-122; July 1916). — Of all our 
Scottish timber trees the Scots pine probably supports the largest number of 
insects. This is not surprising when we consider that it. has been for long the 
chief timber tree. It is, moreover, an indigenous species. Of the Coleoptera it 
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