76 ANNUAL. REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



vStorage investigations were carried on in California with grapes, 

 lemons, and apples. Difl'erent problems were involved with each of 

 these fruits. The results indicate tiiat the present market season of 

 grapes may be materially extended if the fruit is packed in a "filler" 

 before stormg. Redwood sawdust has proved the most effective 

 material thus far tried; but its use is attended with some objection- 

 able features, owing to the very fine dust particles adhering to the 

 fruit. The investigations further showed that 40° F. is the mini- 

 mum temperature at which lemons should be stored, with a possi- 

 bility of better results at an even higher temperature, and that 

 "internal browning" in storage of apples grown in the Pajaro Val- 

 ley is less serious in fruit stored at 35° than at 32° F. It is still less 

 at a temperature of 37° F.; but the ripening processes are too active 

 at this temperature for satisfactory results otherwise. The fruit 

 stored at 32° F. possessed the best external appearance. 



ViTicuLTURAL INVESTIGATIONS. — The eleven experimental vine- 

 yards established in different sections of California are now yielding 

 important results w4th regard to varietal adaptations to different soil 

 types and diverse climatic conditions, congeniality of Vinifera varie- 

 ties on resistant stocks, and the value of a large number of direct 

 producers. 



Material progress has been made in the investigation of the Rotun- 

 difolia group of grapes, especially with regard to varieties and meth- 

 ods of pruning and training. 



Investigations in the Middle Atlantic States have demonstrated 

 that with the application of proper methods grape culture in this 

 region may again be made as successful as it was in former years. 



Fruit-district INVESTIGATIONS. — In Connection with the fruit- 

 district work the study of the adaptability of fruit varieties to the 

 Ozark region has been completed during the past year and consider- 

 ably extended in certain sections of Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, 

 and the central and southern Great Plains area. 



GREENHOUSES, GARDENS AND GROUNDS. 



The gardens and grounds of the Department have continued 

 under the care of the Bureau of Plant Industry. A gradual readjust- 

 ment of the grounds to meet the changes incident to the erection of 

 new buildings and the removal of older structures has been made. 

 The greenliouse equipment has been somewhat enlarged and now 

 affords increased facilities for pathological work and for plant 

 quarantine, which have been very much needed in connection with 

 the research work of the Bureau. The removal of the last of the old 

 greenhouses has resulted in marked improvement of the appearance 

 of the Department grounds. 



