HORTICULTURE. 641 



In previous work with pineapples (E. S. R., 17. p. 1154), it was ghown that an 

 increase of fertilizers up to a certain point resulted in a decided increase of 

 iarser sized fruit but in no material increase in the total number of fruits, 

 and that certain fertilizers are unsuitable for the pineapple plant. The experi- 

 ments were continued as i)reviously outlined to determine whether the quality 

 of the fruit is affected by the kind or quantity used. The plan of the work and 

 methods of sampling and analysis, together with the data and results secured 

 for the years 1905 to 1908, are here reported. 



In general, it was found that the eating quality of pineapples, so far as their 

 sugar and acid content is concerned, does not ai)pear to be affected by the kind 

 of fertilizer used, although their shipping quality may be thus affected. In- 

 creasing the fertilizer slightly increases the sugar content and very slightly 

 decreases the acid content of the pineapples, although the work does not indi- 

 cate to which fertilizing constituent the increase in sugar is due. Large fruits 

 contained a greater percentage of sugar than small ones and slightly less acid. 

 The ratio of reducing sugars to sucrose was greater in the large fruits. An 

 increase of fertilizer failed to increase the nitrogen percentage of the fruit. 



From the analyses reported, the following averages were made up, the weight 

 of fruit in all cases being reckoned without the crown : Weight of one fruit, 

 (>5 determinations. 966.2 gms. ; edible portion, 33 determinations, 61 per cent of 

 the fruit; available juice, 85 determinations. 92.84 per cent of the edible por- 

 tion; total solids in whole fruit, 66 determinations, 15.18 per cent of the fruit; 

 nitrogen, 63 determinations. 0.064 per cent of edible portion; and acids calcu- 

 lated as citric, reducing sugars, sucrose, and total sugars, 100 determinations 

 each, 0.98, 2.60. 9.47, and 12.07 per cent of the juice, respectively. 



Pineapple by-products, T. F. Sedgwick (Hawaii. Almanac and Ann., 36 

 (IhlU), pp. lOU-llO). — A brief description of the process of canning pineapples 

 with a view to pointing out the nature of the refuse from a pineapple factory 

 and the possibility of its utilization. It is estimated that 1 ton of pineapple 

 waste will produce 1,700 lbs. of juice and 100 lbs. of dried pulp. This amount of 

 juice will yield 17 lbs. of citrate of lime, valued at $2.38, and 20 gal. of mo- 

 lasses, valued at $10. 



Notes on the season of maturity of table grapes in Italy (Bol. Min. Agr., 

 Indus, r Com. [Rome], 8 (1909), Ser. V, \o. 10. pp. iy-,^.'y) .—Lists are given 

 showing the period of maturity of a large number of varieties of table grapes 

 grown at various government nurseries in Italy. 



Investig'ations on the maturing of grape wood and the training of Amer- 

 ican stocks, F. ScHMiTTHENNER (Lttnclw. Jalith., 38 (1909), A"o. 4- PP- 629-691, 

 fif/s. .')). — The author reviews the scientific and practical knowledge relative to 

 the anatomical and chemical changes which take place during the maturing of 

 grapevines, and in conclusion summarizes those factors which are of importance 

 for the production of well matured grafting stocks, with special reference to 

 the American vines which are used in reestablishing the German vineyards. 

 The subject matter is discussed under the general headings of the indications 

 of maturity and the process of ripening, and the influence of climatic and soil 

 conditions, vine diseases and methods of combating them, methods of training the 

 vines, and leaf activities upon the ripening of wood. The principal points 

 brought out in the study are summarized. 



The author concludes that the general climatic conditions in German viticul- 

 tural districts are not the most favorable for securing well ripened wood of 

 American grapes. This difhcutly must be obviated by training the vines in a 

 manner suitable for procuring the proper relation between the light, air, and 

 moisture. The trellis system of training appears to be the best, 



