NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 
567 
All parts of the plants may be attacked, but the most serious injury is to the 
leaves, 
The author suggests that the disease may be checked by proper pruning, 
cultivation, and fertilization. Nitrate of soda is particularly useful as a fertilizer. 
Trees in normal health and vigour are resistant to the disease* — A, B a 
Peach, Improved Fructification. By H. Blin (Le Jard. vol. xxxii. p. 248). — 
An annular incision at the base of the branches of the Peach tree, immediately 
below the fruit, increases the weight of the crop, and advances the ripening of 
the fruit by at least a week. The incision is made when the trees begin to 
flower. The process succeeds in warm climates. — 5. E, W. 
Peanuts. By W. D. Kerle (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxix. pp. 137-142, 262- 
273, 338-343 ; 14 figs.). — The Peanut is an annual, thriving in districts which are 
suitable for maize. The crop is susceptible to frost, and should not be planted 
too early. One acre of ground should receive 88 lb. of superphosphate, 62 lb . 
of potassium sulphate, and 15 lb. of ammonium sulphate, or 22 lb. of dried 
blood. Peanuts are largely used in the manufacture of confections and food 
products. They are rich in oil, and the yield of oil is richer in tropical climates 
than in temperate zones. — S. E s W, 
Pear Aphis, The Woolly {Eriosoma pyricola). By A. C. Baker and W. M. 
Davidson {Jour. Agr. Res. x. pp. 65-74, J ul Y I 9^7 ', plates). — This species forms 
galls on the roots of the pear, and passes the summer in galls on the foliage of the 
elm. Full descriptions are given, and the authors believe the species to have been 
introduced from Europe to the States and found it to be capable of living on the 
American as well as the European elm. They suspect it to be identical with 
E t lanuginosa, — F. J, C, 
Peas. By A. F. Pearson {Irish Gard. xiii., March 1918, pp. 33-35). — A cultural 
article, dealing with pea cultivation, pests of peas, and so on. — E. T. E. 
Peas for Poor or Shallow Soils. By F. R. Castle [Gard. May 5, 191 7, p. 155). 
— The author considers the selection of varieties to be important and recommends 
the following : — 
which have been selected from a trial of over thirty varieties all sown on the 
same date upon soil of the poorest possible nature. The height of the varieties 
mentioned rarely exceeds 4 feet. — H. R. D. 
Peppermint and Spearmint. By W. van Fleet {U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Farm. 
Bull. 694; Oct. 10, 1 91 5). — There are two varieties of peppermint cultivated 
in America, the so-called white and black mints. The white variety yields the 
finest quality of oil, but the plant is less hardy and productive than the black 
mint and is now little cultivated in the States. 
Peppermint- growing has spread widely in America, and many thousands of 
acres are under the crop. 
Both peppermint and spearmint thrive best in deep soils rich in humus and 
retentive of moisture, but fairly open in texture and well drained either 
naturally or artificially. 
These conditions are frequently combined in effectively drained swamp lands, 
but the plants may also be commercially cultivated in well-prepared upland soils, 
such as would produce good corn, oil, or potatos. 
This bulletin gives instructions for culture in such upland soils and also 
in what are known in America as muck land, that is, those broad level areas, often 
several thousand acres in extent, of deep fertile soil, the beds cf ancient lakes 
and swamps where the remains of ages of growths of aquatic vegetation have 
accumulated. In Michigan and Indiana, where there are large areas of such 
land susceptible of thorough drainage, mint culture has become highly specialized, 
a considerable part of the acreage being controlled by a few well-equipped growers 
able to handle the product in an economical manner. 
Mint culture on suitable soils seems to give fair average returns when in- 
telligently conducted from year to year. The product is, however, liable to 
Essex Star 
Duke of York 
Royal Salute 
Glory of Devon 
Dr. McClean 
Knight's Ever-bearing 
Autocrat 
Late Queen 
Triumph 
Senator 
Rentpayer 
Eureka 
