336 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



HORTICULTURE. 



A model cold storage house, F. A. Watjgh (Country Gent, 76 {1911), No. 

 3074, pp. 7. 27, figs. 3). — A fniit storage and packing plant recently erected at 

 the Massachusetts Agricultural College is illustrated and described. 



Fluctuating characteristics of apples, C. H. Goetz {Ohio Nat., 12 {1911), 

 No. 1, pp. 406-^08). — ^A study of fluctuation in characteristics of some 50 varie- 

 ties of apples was conducted at the Washington Station during the years 1909 

 and 1910. The results as here presented in tabular form show the percentage 

 of fluctuation in the cavities, size, form, lower basin, apical basin, peduncle, 

 tube, core line, stamens, core, and calyx. 



Among other things the investigation has shown that certain varieties of 

 apples exhibit a tendency toward a constancy of characteristics, while others 

 have a great tendency toward fluctuation. The most fluctuating characteristic 

 in all apples was found in size, shape, and appearance of the seed cavities, and 

 the next greatest in the length of the peduncle. There appeared to be very 

 little fluctuation in the shape, size, oa' form of the calyx in any variety of apples. 



The composition of the apple as affected by irrigation, C. E. Bradley 

 {Jour. Indus, and Engin. Chem., 3 {1911), No. 7, pp. 496, 497). — A large number 

 of analyses were made of apples growing on irrigated and unirrigated experi- 

 mental plats of the Oregon Station, and the results are here presented in sum- 

 marized form. 



The irrigated samples were somewhat higher in moisture and consequently 

 lower in solids than samples from the dry checks; they also contained higher 

 percentages of sugar based on dry material and were generally larger than the 

 apples from the unirrigated plat. Individual apples from a given plat showed 

 very little variation among themselves. 



Peaches for central New York, D. H. Ayers {Rural New Yorker, 70 {1911), 

 No. 4130, p. 1210). — Data are given showing the dates of first and last picking 

 of 10 varieties of peaches during the seasons of 1909 to 1911 inclusive, with 

 brief notes on the choice of the varieties for central New York. 



Grape propagation, pruning, and training, G. C. Husmann {U. 8. Dept. 

 Agr., Farmers' Bui. 471, pp. 29, figs. 30). — This publication contains popular 

 instructions for propagating, pruning, and training grapes. The subject matter 

 is discussed under the following general headings: Propagation, soil and loca- 

 tion, description of the parts of a vine, care and training of young vines, the 

 pruning of bearing vines, training and training systems, and the principal grape 

 regions of the United States. 



Date culture in California, J. E. Coit {Cal. Cult., 37 {1911), No. 26, pp. 

 673, 680, 681, fig. 1 ) . — A brief popular survey of the progress of date culture in 

 California. 



The propagation of the avocado, P. J. Wester {Philippme Agr. Rev. 

 [English Ed.], 4 {1911), No. 11, pp. 599-605, pis. 3).— This comprises a short 

 exposition of the experience gained by the author in the propagation of avocados 

 during 7 years' study of tropical fruits in south Florida. 



Tropical fruits in the Visayas, P. J. Wester (Philippine Agr. Rev. [English 

 Ed.], 4 (1911), No. 10, pp. 545-554, pis. 3).— The author reports a brief general 

 survey of the fruits and horticultural conditions in the Philippine Islands 

 south of Luzon. 



Coconut growing in the Philippine Islands, D. C. Worcester (War Dept. 

 [U. Sf.], Bur. Insula/r Aff. [Ptt&.], 1911, pp. 31, pis. 16; Trop. Agr. ana Mag. 

 Ceylon Agr. 80c. 37 (1911), No. 5, pp. 398-410) .—This comprises the results 

 of an investigation relative to the coconut industry in the Philippines. The 

 phases discussed include selection of site; cost of land, clearing, planting. 



