452 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Fruit-district invkstigations. — The study of the adaptability of 

 different varieties of fruits has been continued. Field work in the 

 territorj^ which includes central Oklahoma, central and eastern Kan- 

 sas, and southeastern Nebraska was completed during the season of 

 1911. The compilation of a 10-year series of phenological data, 

 collected through the aid of a very large number of voluntary ob- 

 servers in different parts of the country, is actively under way and 

 yields valuable results. 



During the coming fiscal year it is proposed to extend these investi- 

 gations to include the region of Tennessee, Kentucky, AVest Virginia, 

 and restricted contiguous areas in several adjacent States. The 

 various fruit-producing districts of the country will be studied as 

 rapidl}' as time and means will permit, with the eventual object of 

 providing a comjDlete manual of the adaptability of different varie- 

 ties in the several regions of the United States. 



Among the new lines in contemplation for this work is the measure- 

 ment and determination of the physical factors of environment, by 

 means of which it is hoped to establish the actual figures bearing on 

 varietal adaptability. It is planned to include in this work a 

 broader study of actual fruit production in various parts of the 

 country. Special attention is to be given to the commercial produc- 

 tion of subtropical fruits, including mangos, avocados, citrus fruits, 

 figs, and oriental persimmons. 



ViTicuLTURAi. INVESTIGATIONS. — The investigations pertaining to 

 viticulture have been organized under three principal groups, based 

 on the types of grapes grown, including the Vinifera, or European, 

 and the American native grapes of the Labrusca and Muscadine 

 types. The principal regions adapted to the culture of the Vinifera 

 varieties are on the Pacific coast. Varieties of the Labrusca type 

 are grown principally in the Eastern and Middle AVestern States, and 

 the Muscadine varieties in the South Atlantic and Gulf States. The 

 work in viticulture has been begun in these three regions, special 

 experimental plats having been established in California, New Jersey, 

 North Carolina, and Florida. 



In the Vinifera group the study of the congeniality of different 

 varieties to different resistant stocks is yielding valuable results, 

 especially in determining the influence of various stocks upon the 

 yield of fruit, as well as upon the quality of the grapes for different 

 purposes. The bearing qualities of the Panariti grape, one of the 

 varieties of seedless grapes from which the so-called " currants " of 

 commerce are made, are strongly influenced by grafting upon cer- 

 tain stocks. AA^'hen grafted upon the proper stock this variety pro- 

 duces successfully in California, and thus the possibility of producing 

 the commercial currant on a large scale in that State is being demon- 

 strated. 



Special attention will be given during the coming year to a large- 

 scale demonstration of the practicability of producing the currant 

 grape in commercial quantities. Arrangements are also being made 

 for a commercial demonstration of the practicability of growing the 

 Almeria and Malaga varieties, which thus far have not been suc- 

 cessfully produced in commercial quantities in America. 



In the investigations in the Muscadine grape regions of the South 

 Atlantic and Gulf States close studies are being made of the han- 

 dling of the vineyards, including pruning, training, fertilizing, and 



