Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 441
circumference a t 3 feet from the ground, the diameter of the top of
tho tree being over 100 feet ; it bore alternately 40 and 85 bnsliels
annually, and one year reaohod 110 bushels [Rev. C. H. Horey.]
Near Weathersfield, in tlie same state, an apple-tree said to be planted
in 1640 is still ill full bearing. In Prof. Meehan’s “ Gardeners’
Monthly ” is a record of the fecundity of an apple-tree in New England,
given by Mr. W. S. P la tt, of Cheshire ; its eight branches spread
over six rods, aud five of tlie branches bore iu one year over 100
bnsliels of apples, the bearing taking place alternately with the other
three branches. The tree frnits still at Mysore, but there the trees
remain of stunted growth [ J . Cameron], Ananas and Apples bear
fruit alongside each other at tlie tropic of Capricorn in East-Australia
[Ed g ar]. Orchards, particularly also of apple-trees have been
formed iu sandy heath-ground with the best results. Apple-trees will
endure tbe winters of Norway to lat. 65° 28' [Professor Schuebeler].
They bear fruit as far north as Drontheim. In the most northern
parts of North-America the liardiest Russian sorts have become
available for culture chiefly through Dr. Regel, no other kinds being
able to resist the severe cold. The Bismarck-Apple originated in the
North-Western part of Victoria ; about 15,000 were planted in
Germany in 1893, and this sort is largely taken up by orohardists
elsewhere. The variety “ Peasgood’s Nonesuch ” produces apples to
a weight of 26 ounces or even more [James Lake]. Quite recently
an apple without any core and seeds was brought under notice by Mr.
Marylander, of Baltimore. I t originated in Virginia. The tree is a
rich bearer, althougli the flowers are never properly developed except
the ovulary ; the fruit is of exoellent taste, yellowish throughont, and
reminds of the Golden Pearmain. In Europe apple-trees and other
fruit-trees are occasionally bored by the Scolytus destructor. One of
the best methods, to ward off the two kinds of codlin-moth from apple-
trees and other fruit-trees, consists in tying rags from baggings
loosely around the base of the stem, as the Jarvæ will seek shelter
therein, and may thus be captured in large numbers ; loose bark
infested should be removed. Mr. C. French, Government Entomologist
for Victoria, recommends spraying with a solution of 1 lb.
London purple (which contains, however, a larger percentage of
arsenic) in 100 or 150 gallons of water, as, soon as the fruit begins to
form. In his valuable “ Handbook of Destructive Insects ” he also
gives descriptions and illustrations of different spray-pumps. One of
the remedies to subdue the troublesome “ Aphis ” of the apple-tree,
caused by the Sohizoneura lanigera, is gas-lime [W. G. Klee] ;
further Paris-green sprayed early in the season ; according to Mr.
James Roberts, an application late in autumn of a solution of sulphate
of copper (similar in strength to th a t used for dressing seed-grain of
cereals against smut) to the roots of the apple-tree or even the
pounded sulphate of copper simply scattered on the ground under the
tree. The strength of the solution to be employed is 4 lbs. to a cask
of water. More generally known as efficient is the nse of kerosene
emulsion, or dissolved whaleoil- or resin-soap against apple-blight.
applied by direct contract tliorougbly and repeatedly to the afEected
portions of the tree. Good service renders in this respect a dressing
of the roots with strongly ammoniacal manures. A solution of gas-
ta r heated with caustic soda or caustic lime is a remedy against this
disease. In South-Africa the Rodolia has been utilised for the same
purpose. A few varieties of apples resist Aphis ; notably the
varieties known as Northern Spy and Winter Majetin [C. French].
The Black Scale of Olive-trees, Leoonium Oleae, extends also to
Apple-trees and many other kinds of ordinary orchard-trees.
Hillenmeyer recommends slaok-lime brushings over stems and
branches of apple-trees against lichens, mosses and against diseases
produced by growth of minute fungaceous parasites. Succulent
apples contain about 70 per cent, of juice, a remark which may
serve in calculating the yield of cider. According to tlie “ Journal
of the Society of Arts ” of the 26th April, 1895, the average yearly
production of cider in France from 1884 to 1893 came to 296 million
gallons. The quantity of apples made into cider during 1890 in
France was estimated a t over 8 million cwts., valued a t nearly
£2,000,000, while the value of otlier apples aud pears was about four
million pounds sterling [Sahut, from “ Bulletin dn Ministère d’Agriculture”]
. In Frankfort on the Maine, cider-making is one of the
principal industries, there being about 50 factories, employing directly
about 1,200 persons, the value of the present annual output being
approximately £400,000 [L. Moeller]. A pleasant and wholesome
beverage is easily prepared by boiling 2 lbs. of apples iu some water
till disintegrated, increasing the fluid by hot water to 1 gallon, and
adding abont 1 lb. of sugar and after cooling a little yeast ; strain
when fermentation is well advanced, and bottle off lightly corked ;
it will be ready in two days aud will keep for a week ( “ Journ. Soc.
Arts,” Sept. 1887). Wood-wool from soft pine-wood is the best
packing material for fresh fruit on long transit, by virtue of lightness,
elasticity, airiness and antiseptic property. Apples and also other
fruits dried by tbe American “ Evaporator,” are far superior to kiln-
dried or sun-dried fruits. Tbe process consists in applying swiftly
moving air heated to 240° F., the rapid evaporation preventing the
fruit from getting heated to the extent of the air-current [E. W.
Badger]. See “ Journal of the Royal Horticultural Society,” November,
1890. Mr. E . Hoescli has adopted the use of pure sulphurous
dioxyde of lime in a weak solution, for dipping into it fruits or
vegetables to be dried, with a view of preventing their turning dark
by the exsiccation-process [See “ Wiener Garten-Zeitung,” 1890, p.
189-192]. The United States sent to England in the season 1880-81
about 1,360,000 barrels of apples, irrespective of the large quantity
sent by Canada. Latterly the value of American applet imported
into Britain has amounted to two millions sterling a year.
The illustrated meritorious work by Mr. Ch. French, Government
Entomologist to the Victorian Department of Agriculture, on insects
noxious to culture plants, should be consulted especially by Australian
ruralists. Tlie following original notes on predatory insects and their