THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 147 



of decay is not soon forgotten, or conducive to further purchase. 

 Careful investigation and study of this disease is needed. 



Alternaria. This disease begins at the blossom or stylar end of the 

 fruit and is introduced into the fruit while it is quite small and im- 

 mature. The presence of the disease can not be detected from the 

 external appearance, but is revealed on opening the fruit. There is a 

 breaking down of the arils, a loss of color and flavor, and finally a 

 slimy decaying mass results which is quite nauseating to view. For- 

 tunately this disease is as yet quite rare. 



Splitting. The pomegranate is very subject to splitting at the ripen- 

 ing period. The degree of splitting varies much with localities, 

 varieties, and individual trees. In some localities splitting is un- 

 common, in others some varieties are very prone to split, while in 

 still other localities some do and others do not split. This splitting 

 may be very bad on one tree and not present on the ad.joining tree. 

 The fruit splits open, disclosing the arils to view. As the fruit matures 

 the split widens and the arils are dehisced much as peas from the pod. 

 This trouble is thought to be due to sudden fluctuations in moisture 

 content of the soil and air, caused by lack of irrigation at proper 

 intervals, or dry north winds followed by heavy irrigation. Any con- 

 dition causing these sudden fluctuations may cause splitting. This 

 trouble is quite serious in some sections, but the causes are not yet 

 understood. 



