520 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
Syringa Swegenzowi. By D. Bois and G. T. Grignan (Rev. Hort. Oct. 16, 
1915)- — MM. Lemoine et fils speak highly of this novelty as a very charming 
lilac of Chinese origin. — C. T. D. 
Tagasete. By J. H. Maiden [Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxvi. pp. 883-887 ; 
4 plates). — The author wishes that a trial should be given to the cultivation 
of Tagasete (Cytisus palmensis) in Australia as fodder. The Tagasete is pollarded 
and the young shoots fed to stock. The horses have to be taught to like it. 
S. E. W. 
Tepary Bean. By W. M. Carne (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxvi. pp. 979-980). — 
The Tepary bean belongs to the species Phaseolus acutifolius. The pods are 
3 inches long, thin and tough. The flowers are white or pink to purple. The 
shelled beans make an excellent green vegetable. The dried beans are smaller 
than Lima or haricot beans, but are superior in flavour. The beans are sown 
in rows, 30 inches apart, leaving a space of 3 or 4 inches between the beans in the 
rows. They are very hardy, require little water, and do best on a light soil. 
S. E. W. 
Terrapin Scale (Eulecanium nigrofasciatum Pergrande) on Peach Trees. 
By F. L. Simanton (U.S.A. Dep. Agr., Bull. 351, 96 pp. ; 19 figs.). — A detailed 
account of the insect, life-history, enemies, and remedial measures. — E. A. Bd. 
Thalictrum, The Genus. By S. Mottet (Rev. Hort. Oct. 16, 191 5 ; one 
coloured plate) . — An interesting article describing some of the more valuable 
varieties. — C. T. D. 
Thrips. By W. W. Froggatt (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. vol. xxvii. pp. 126). — To 
protect orchards from attacks of thrips, burn all rubbish. Spray with lime- 
sulphur or red oil emulsion before the buds burst. If the opening leaf or flower- 
buds show signs of thrips, spray with tobacco and soap wash. — S. E. W. 
Thymol, Commercial Production of, from Horsa-mint (Monarda punctata). 
By S. C. Hood {U.S. A. Dep. Agr., Bur. PI. Ind., Bull. 372, May 1916, pp. 1-12).— 
It has long been known that thymol is present in considerable quantity in the 
oil distilled from horse-mint (Monarda punctata), but no attempt has been made 
to cultivate this plant for the commercial production of thymol. In 1907, 
horse-mint was observed to occur in abundance as a common weed or sandy lands 
in Central Florida, and preliminary examinations of the oil from these wild plants 
seemed to indicate that a promising commercial source of thymol could be 
developed by bringing this plant under cultivation. 
It was found that the fresh entire herb yielded from '12 to '2 per cent, of 
oil. The content of total phenols in these oils ranged from 56 to 62 per cent., 
and it was found that the phenols consisted almost entirely of thymol. 
A large number of variations in the plants were observed, and attempts were 
made to select and produce a variety containing larger amounts of thymol. 
These experiments have extended over eight years, and have resulted in the 
production of a variety which yields '42 per cent, of oil containing 74 per cent, of 
phenols, chiefly thymol. 
Details of the extraction and distillation are given, and the author believes 
that the production of this plant as a crop might be profitable, since an estimate 
shows a profit of about $16 an acre as an average over a five-year period. — A. B. 
Timber-killing with Sodium Arsenite. By C. W. Burrows (Agr. Gaz. N.S.W. 
vol. xxvi. pp. 767-769). — A rapid method of destroying trees on a heavily- 
timbered district is to frill the trees when the sap is falling and apply sodium 
arsenite. " Frilling " is the application of a series of downward axe cuts round 
the tree, completely severing the bark as near the ground as is found convenient. 
Sodium arsenite is then poured into the frilling from an old kettle. To prepare 
the arsenite, dissolve 2 lb. of caustic soda in water, mix 1 lb. of white arsenic 
to a paste with a small quantity of water, and pour slowly into the caustic soda 
solution. When the arsenic is dissolved, add water to make the bulk of liquid 
up to 4 gallons, and add half a pound of whiting. — S. E. W. 
Tobacco, Resistance to the Root-rot Disease. By J. Johnson (Phytopathology, 
vi. pp. 167-181 ; April 1916 ; figs.). — The root -rot caused by Thielavia basicola 
is very prevalent on tobacco, but the author found that different strains of cigar- 
leaf tobacco exist which are practically immune from attacks of this disease. 
They are, however, unsatisfactory for commercial purposes, but the author 
considers it possible^to obtain resistant stocks of good quality. — F. J. C. 
