340 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Recent observations on the hybrid direct bearers in the valley of the 

 Rhone, A. Dksmoulins and V. Villakd {Prog. Agr. ci Vit. {Ed. VE ■'it. -Centre), 

 30 {1909), N OS. .>,(i, pp. 60J,-61Jf; -47, pp. GJ,3-6Jt5; .',8, pp. 657-659; J,9, pp. 

 687-691). — Observations similar to those noted in previous years (E. S. R., 19, 

 p. 144) are reported on a large number of hybrid direct bearing grapes. 



Production of cacao in the French colonies, A. Berteau {Agr. Prat. Pays 

 Vliaitds. It {1909), \(>. SI), pit. ,UI3-3S3). — A statistical review of the cacao in- 

 dustry in the French coUjuics of America and Africa. 



On some facts relative to hybridization in the Citrus genus and on the 

 origin of the sweet orange (Citrus aurantium), I^. Trabut {Compt. Rend. 

 Acad. Sci. [Paris], 149 {1909), No. 2J,. pp. 1 1 42-1 lU).— The author calls atten- 

 tion to the Clementine orange which he announced in 1902, and which appeared 

 to have arisen from the hybridization of Citrus noUIis and C. bigaradia. Seed- 

 lings of the Clementine have proved to be remarkably variable. Not only are 

 the pai-ent forms represented, but a large number of the seedlings have been 

 sweet oranges practically identical with C. aurantium. The author concludes 

 that the latter species is in reality only a hybrid produced by chance crossing 

 in countries where C. nobilis and C. bigaradia are both grown. 



The latest developments in fig culture, W. T. Swingle and G. P. Rixford 

 {Cat. Fruit Grower, JfO {1909), No. 1120, pp. //, 5). — A summarized account of 

 the development of Smyrna fig culture in California. The conclusion is 

 reached that although the production of the finest figs requires some attention 

 to details, such as the care of the capri trees aud caprification, the crop is 

 never lost by late spring frosts, the trees require little pruning, no spraying, 

 and no thinning of fruit, and will bring in at 5 or 6 years of age, when planted 

 in suitable soil and climate, a gross income of about $100 per acre at present 

 prices. 



A new hawthorn-medlar graft hybrid, L. Daniel ( Compt. Rend. Acad. 8ci. 

 [Paris], l'i9 {1909), No. 22, pp. tOOS-1010).— The author investigated a graft 

 of medlar on hawthorn which was called to his attention by C. Brun in 1906, 

 and found that the fruit and vegetative growth of the graft presented foi'ms re- 

 sembling both the hawthorn and the medlar, as well as intermediate forms. 

 The various forms observed are described. 



Notes on the native seedless persimmon, AY. L. Woodbuen {Proc. Ind. Acad. 

 8ci., 1908, pp. 99-101). — A report of a preliminary study of the embryology 

 of some seedless pefsimmons which fruited in the vicinity of Indiana Univer- 

 sity during the year 1908. 



Tillage v. sod-mulch, U. P. Hedrick {Atm. Rpt. Vt. State Hort. Soc, 6 

 (1908), pp. oJi-66). — A popular discussion of this subject, based largely upon 

 the results secured during the first 5 years of the long-continued orchard tillage 

 experiment being conducted at the New York State Station (E. S. R., 21, 

 p. 23S). 



Varieties of fruit trees recommended for the region north of the central 

 Mesa {Estac. Agr. Expt. Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahaa, Bol. 22, pp. 24). — The 

 varieties of fruits here described and recommended for planting consist largely 

 of those which have been found to succeed in the southwestern United States. • 



The development of a picking table for the more important pip fruits, 

 E. JuNGE {Cleisetih. Mitt. Obst u. Gartenbau, 24 {1909), No. 8, pp. 113-118).— 

 The author points out the value of collecting information in various localities 

 relative to the time of maturing of apples and pears under various climatic and 

 soil conditions, and presents data based upon 10 years' observations at Geisen- 

 heim showing the dates of maturity of a large number of varieties of apples 

 and pears. 



