552 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
responsible. The present paper deals with a new method of citrus cultivation, 
which the authors call the m ulched-basin system. Low dikes are thrown up so 
as to form large shallow irrigation basins near each tree, and each basin is heavily- 
mulched with lucerne hay, bean straw, manure, or seme other organic material. 
The basin makes it possible to supply each tree with water according to need, 
while the water carries plant food from the mulch to the roots of the trees. 
The mulched-basin system was found to conserve the soil moisture better 
than any other system tested, and none of the basined trees on either light or heavy 
soils wilted. Under all the other cultural methods employed, wilting occurred 
at some period during the summer. 
Circular trenches dug around orange trees, filled with manure or alfalfa and 
covered with dirt, did not remain sufficiently open after the second irrigation to 
distribute the irrigation water adequately. 
For a basin having an area of 150 square feet, the experiments indicate that 
approximately 150 lb. of alfalfa or 15 to 20 cubic feet of stable manure will 
be required each year to maintain an effective mulch. 
The new leaves on the basined trees were less mottled, larger, and darker in 
colour, and the new growth of rootlets was very much greater. 
No soil crust of any kind has been found in the basins where the mulch com- 
pletely covered the soil surface. 
The experiments indicate that lucerne and bean straw are superior to stable 
manure for mulching purposes. 
The use of an organic mulch moderates the rise in soil temperature during 
the day. — F. G. A. 
Clematis^afoliata J. Buch. By T, A. Sprague (Bot. Mag. t. 8686; Nov. 
1 916). — A curious species with leaflets suppressed and only petioles developed. 
A native of New Zealand, it flowered on a sunny wall at Warley Place, and is 
probably hardy only in the warmer parts of the British Isles. Its whitish flowers 
are about i£ inch in diameter, and apparently freely produced, — F. J. C. 
Clematis Armandi. By E. A. Bowles (Gard. Dec. 1, 191 7, p. 519). — This is 
one of a century of certificated plants (1914) introduced from China by Dr. E. H. 
Wilson. 
It is one of the most distinct hardy climbing plants by reason of its handsome 
leaves, which were not hurt by the winter 1916-17. It is evergreen and almost 
as handsome in mid-winter as in mid-summer, and only more beautiful then from 
the contrast between the dark olive -green of the old growths which set off the 
rich yellow-green of the young. It does not show its true beauty until it is allowed 
to produce hanging growths of three seasons. 
Evergreen climbers are rare, and except Ivies look rather woebegone in March, 
when this Clematis pushes along its flower- buds, developing emerald-green bracts 
among its oldest and most sombre leaves. The flowers appear in April, the 
earliest rather small and greenish, but in a spell of warm weather they make a 
good show, those at the end of the month being almost white and of good size. 
The seeds ripen in July, and look like pale-green spiders with long hairy white 
legs, and before they have fallen there is a second blossoming. — H. R. D. 
Clubroot of Cruciferous Plants, Studies on. By C. Chupp {U.S.A. Exp. 
Stn.y Cornell, Bull. 387 ; March 1917 ; plates). — The author finds that neither 
the wind nor the power of locomotion possessed by the swarm-spores of Plasmo- 
diophora Brassicae are of importance in disseminating the fungus. He was able 
to germinate spores and carry out infections which point to the fact that bacteria 
so frequently found in the " clubs " are not necessary to the subsistence of the 
fungus, but merely invade the tissues of the host after the rupture of the host 
cells. The fungus is able to penetrate cell walls, and infects the host through the 
root hairs. Another organism, apparently Olpidium Brassicae, is frequently 
present in the infected roots. It causes no hypertrophy, — F. J. C. 
Codling Moth in Maine, Life History of the. By E. H. Siegler and F. L. 
Simanton (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bur. Ent., Bull. 252, Aug. 10, 191 5, 50 pp. ; 9 figs., 
41 tables). — The life-history studies recorded were conducted during the seasons 
of 1 91 3 and 1 91 4. The codling moth in Maine may be controlled with one 
spray thoroughly applied as soon as the petals drop. Arsenate of lead paste 
2 lb., or powder 1 lb,, to each 50 gallons of water, is recommended, — F. G. A. 
Codling Moth Trap. By E. H. Siegler (Jour. Econ t Entom. 9, pp. 517-520, 
Dec. 1916 ; fig.). — A trap for codling moths is figured. It is said to have been 
used with great effect, and is a modification of the autumn hayband method of 
dealing with the pest, — F s /, C, 
