HORTICULTURE. 743 



The results of the study as a whole indicate that defoliation is a special prac- 

 tice which may sometimes be used to advantage on weak-growing vines which, 

 owing either to their nature or to their training, make a vertical growth. 

 Vigorous-growing vines trained to wire trellises seem to benefit less or even to 

 suffer from defoliation. The improvement by defoliation is manifested chietly 

 in a better quality of wine. 



Reconstitution of vineyards in the Province of Trapani, Sicily, R. Makes 

 {Bui. Off. Gouvt. G6n. Alg&ric, 1912, No. /,, Sup-, PP. 3J-M).— This report, which 

 consists of a review of the work of reconstituting phylloxera-infested vineyards 

 in Sicily, is presented with special reference to the reconstitution of similarly 

 infested vineyards in Algeria. 



Strawberries, C. P. Close, W. R. Ballard, T. II. White et al. ( Maryland 

 Sta. Bui. 160, pp. 193-220). — This bulletin contains descriptions of the new 

 varieties which have been fruited at the station during the past 4 seasons, 

 and also of the older varieties not described in the station's previous bulletin 

 on strawberries from which the cultural directions herein given have been 

 largely taken (E. S. R., 19, p. 1144). 



In addition to the descriptive notes, data are given for all the newer 

 varieties showing the sex, percentage of stand, blooming period, season of 

 ripening, and yield. The 10 best-yielding varieties for each of the past 4 

 seasons are tabulated. 



Experiments in mulching strawberries with straw were continued during 

 the seasons 1908 to 1911 inclusive. As indicated by the yields for the 4 years 

 a plat not mulched but cultivated in the spring has yielded an average of 

 3,612 qt. per acre; a plat mulched in early winter and cultivated in the spring 

 averaged 4,101 qt. per acre; a plat mulched during the winter but not culti- 

 vated in the spring averaged 4,275 qt. per acre; and the check plat, which was 

 neither mulched nor cultivated, averaged 3,800 qt. per acre. In addition to 

 the increased yield, the berries from the mulched plats were always brighter, 

 cleaner, and much larger than those from the unmulched. 



Brief notes are appended on strawberry diseases by J. B. S. Norton and on 

 insect pests by T. B. Symous. 



Strawberry culture, P. T. Cole (Tirginia Truck Sta. Bui. 6, pp. 103-128, 

 figs. 7). — A popular account of the methods used in growing strawberries in 

 eastern Virginia, including a description of varieties tested on the grounds of 

 the Virginia Truck Station. 



Annona diversifolia, a custard apple of the Aztecs, W. E. Safford {Jour. 

 Wash. Acad. Sci., 2 {1912), No. 5, pp. 118-125, figs. 4)-— A new species of 

 custard apple {A. diversifolia) is here described and illustrated. 



The development of the avocado industry, F. W. Popenoe (Pomona Col. 

 Jour. Econ. Bot., 1 {1911), No. 3, pp. 135-lJf8, figs. 8). — A general survey of 

 the results obtained in growing avocados, both in southern California and in 

 Florida. 



The mang-o in southern California, F. W. Popenoe {Pomona Col. Jour. 

 Econ. Bot., 1 {1911), No. It, pp. 153-200, figs. 13).— In this paper the author 

 discusses the present status of and prospects for mango culture in California, 

 describes the varieties which have proven promising in that State, and gives 

 an annotated list of all of the better known mangoes. 



The white sapote, F. W. Popenoe {Pomona Col. Jour. Econ. Bot., 1 (1911), 

 No. 2, pp. 83-90, figs. .5).— The author gives an account of the results obtained 

 in growing and fruiting the white sai)ote {Casimiroa edulis) in southern 

 California, including a description of varietes now grown. 



Coconut culture, O. W. Barrett {Philippine Bur. Agr. Farmers' Bui. 17, 

 1911, pp. 19, pis. //; Proc. 8oc. Trinidad and Tobago, 11 {1911), No. 8, lyp. 



