1606 
stearin and 20 per cent olein, with crystals of 
stearic acid. This oil is used to adulterate clarified 
butter, and for soap and candle-making. 
During the war, interest was centered in the pro- 
duction of acetone from these flowers to supply the 
local demand in connection with munition manufac- 
ture. The acetone was produced by the now well-known 
special fermentation process, and it has been alleged 
that the yield from the flowers was one-tenth of 
their weight, or nearly ten times as much as is ob- 
tainable by distilling wood. The demand for acetone 
in India in peace times would not 'be large enough to 
justify the available supplies of flowers being en- 
tirely devoted to the manufacture of that product, but 
there remains the possibility of their being used for 
the manufacture of industrial alcohol. The yield of 
alcohol from the flowers is high compared with that 
from potatoes and other materials commonly used. It 
has been stated that about 90 gallons of 95 per cent 
alcohol are obtainable from 1 ton of dried flowers. 
In view of the extended use that is now being 
made of alcohol for power purposes, it seems likely 
that the most profitable way of utilizing the flowers 
would be as a source of a mixed motor spirit of the 
"natalite" type for local use in India. That motor 
spirit can be produced on a manufacturing scale in 
India from Madhuca flowers has already been demon- 
strated, and it is stated that running trials' with 
this spirit proved satisfactory. 
The tree is well adapted to withstand drought 
and is especially suited for planting on dry and waste 
lands where little else will grow. The tree takes 
about 20 years to produce flowers and seeds in large 
quantity, but during this period the land need not be 
entirely unproductive if interplanting were adopted 
at first. (Adapted from Daily Commerce Reports, Nos. 
152 and 200, pp. 1235 and 952 respectively.) 
Malus sylvestris (Malaceae), 51166. Apple. From Avon- 
dale, Auckland, New Zealand. Budwood presented by Mr. 
H. R. Wright, Avondale Nursery. "'Alpha,' aphis-re- 
sistant seedling from 'Irish peach.' The fruit is 
twice as large as the parent and much earlier. I con- 
sider it the earliest apple in existence. It is a 
goldmine to the fruit grower on account of its size, 
flavor, and extreme earliness; it is aphis proof and 
very productive. I predict a great demand for this 
apple as soon as I put it on the market, and when 
