Notes and abstracts. 
55* 
annually is reported from certain States, especially where apple and juniper are 
growing in close proximity. Gymnosporangium Juniperi-virginianae, G. globosum, 
and G. clavipes are the species dealt with. — F. J. C. 
Chenopodium, A Desirable Vegetable. By E. Meunissier (Rev. Hort. vol. xc. 
pp. 15-17). — Chenopodium purpurascens, amaranticolor, and album are of easy 
culture. Sow on a hot bed about the middle of April and prick out ten days 
later. It is not particular as to soil, and does not run to seed in hot weather* 
It is superior to spinach in flavour. — S. E. W, 
Christmas Tree Plantations. By A. K. Chittenden (U.S.A. Exp, Sin,, 
Michigan, 191 6). — To determine the practicability of growing Christmas 
trees as a farm crop, an experimental plantation was established in 1909. 
Sufficient time has now elapsed to warrant definite conclusions being drawn 
from this plantation. 
Four-year-old Norway spruce transplants were used. These tiees were 
about 1 "4 feet high, good, strong, sturdy stock. They were planted with a 
triangular spacing of 3 feet, at the rate of 5,584 to the acre. The marking was 
done with a horse marker. 
For Christmas tree purposes too rapid growth is not desirable. If the trees 
grow faster than one foot a year they become spindly. The best Christmas trees 
are those that grow rather slowly. They are bushier and better shaped than 
very rapidly grown trees* — A , D. W s 
Clchorium Intybus, Fertility in; Self-compatibility and Self-incompatibility 
among Offspring of Self-fertile Lines of Descent. By A. B. Stout (Jour. Genetics, 
vol. vii. pp. 71-104, Feb. 1918; plates). — The author shows that sterility 
develops in chicory independently of anatomical incompatibility or embryo 
abortion, such as occurs through malnutrition of embryos. The degree of self- 
compatibility appears to vary, and selection for self -fertility after two generations 
was not effective in producing a completely self-fertile strain. Both phenomena 
occur in both cross-bred and in-bred races.— F. J. C. 
Cider Apple Jelly, the Manufacture of, Cider Industry in Relation to Present- 
Day Food Problems. By B. T. P. Barker (Ann. Rep. Agr, Res. Stn., Long Ashton, 
1 91 7). — The utilization of apples and pears generally made into cider for food 
purposes (jam and fruit pulp, jelly, syrup, and culinary purposes), the avoidance 
of losses that usually occur in dealing with the cider fruits, and the improvement 
of grass orchards are dealt with in these papers, which should be consulted. 
F. J. C. 
Cider Vinegar. By O. Grove (Ann. Rep. Agr. Res. Stn., Long Ashton, 1917). — 
To make cider vinegar the acetic ferment (Bacterium xylinum) (which is present 
in all unpasteurized samples) must be present, air must have free access to the 
cider, and it must be kept at a temperature of 65°-85° F. Fermentation may be 
started by the addition of a little good vinegar to cider in a wooden cask, which is 
placed on its side, has a hole of about 1 inch diameter at each end and a funnel 
with a rubber tube dipping into the cider through the bunghole. The funnel 
and the holes should be covered with fine gauze, — F, J. C M 
Ciders, Single Variety. By O. Grove (Ann. Rep. Agr. Res. Stn., Long Ashton, 
1917). — The chemical composition &c. of various ciders made in 1916-17 is given. 
F. J. C. 
Citrus Fruits, A New Machine for Peeling. By S. C. Hood (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., 
Bur. PI. Ind., Bull. 399, Dec. 16, 1916, pp. 13-19; 5 figs.). — By the use of this 
machine, one man can in one hour remove the peel from 2 tons of oranges or from 
3^ tons of grape fruit. The peel comes from the machine in a finely divided 
condition suitable for the extraction of the oil, and the peeled fruit is delivered 
in a condition suitable for use in the manufacture of various food products, A 
full description of the machine and its working is given,-— F, G. A. 
Citrus " Mottle-leaf " : The Mulched-basin System of Irrigation and its Bearing 
on the Control of. By L. J. Briggs, C. A. Jensen, and j. W. McLane {U.S.A. Dep., 
Agr., Bur. PI. Ind., Bull. 499, Feb. 12, 191 7, 31 pp. ; 1 plate, 12 tables). — In a 
previous paper (dealt within these Abstracts, vol. xlii. p. 486), the authors showed 
that mottle-leaf of citrus trees was apparently associated with a deficiency of 
organic matter in the soil, and perhaps also inadequate irrigation. Further ex- 
periments made in a commercial orange-grove in California now indicate that 
the furrow system of irrigation and intensive surface cultivation may be in part 
