HORTICULTURE. 43 



glare wore avoided. It is believed that wiiere extremely short fermentations 

 are given the l)lne light may have yonw advantage in prodncing i)ctter col- 

 ored tea. 



Investigations on the effect of thickness of spreading on the fermenting floor 

 indicate that if the thickness did not go beyond l.n in. there was no notice- 

 able difference in the i-esnlts. Investigations in firing indicate tliat nntil the 

 leaf is crisp or nntil no juice remains nnsoliditied. drying should be as rai)id as 

 possible, and at as low a temperature as possible, providing it is high enough 

 to sto]) the normal fermentation of the leaf at once. 



Relative to the absorption of moisture by made teas, it is found tli.it teas 

 when packed cont.-iin normally 2 to .H per cent of moisture, when exposed for 

 1.") hours the sample examined contained 0.6 per cent of moisture, after stand- 

 ing •_'(•) hours. 10.4, and after standing l.'^G hours. 16.4 per cent. No marked 

 change in the composition of the tea occurred, but \\ hen the tea' was allowed 

 to absorb moisture at a temperature of 90 to 100° F. for 17 hours there was a 

 loss of both soluble matter and soluble tannin. 



The renovation of deteriorated tea, II. II. Mann (Af/r. Jour. India, 1 

 (UXiG), No. 2. pp. 83-96). — The author discusses the deterioration in tea planta- 

 tions due to unfavorable physical conditions of the soil, exhaustion of plant food, 

 bad pruning, etc., and suggests methods of correction. 



Packing cocoa seeds (J/o. CoiiKular and Trade Rpis. [U. »S'.l, 19(16. No. 306, 

 p. 115). — It is reported that excellent results have been obtained in packing 

 cocoa seeds for exjiort by selecting seeds from ripe pods, thoroughly washing 

 them in water and then gently rubbing them with a i-ough towel in order to 

 remove most of the pulp. The seeds are then cooled in a current of air for 24 

 hours and packed in a material composed of equal parts of vegetable mold and 

 finely ground powdered charcoal moistened just enough to resemble earth taken 

 out of a shady place. The seeds are shipped in a tin box 8 by 4 by 4 in. A layer 

 of earth and charcoal about f in. deep is placed in the bottom of the box and 

 then a layer of seed, leaving a little space between each seed, followed by a 

 layer of charcoal and earth and then of seed until the box is full. 



A neglected nut, J. W. Kerr {Country Gent.. 77 (1906), No. 21S6, pp. 59.'/, 

 59.'), figs. 2). — Shellbark hickory nuts from exceptionally good trees were secured 

 in Pennsylvania and ])lanted by the auth.jr in Miiryland. They were from V.\ to 

 15 years in coming into bearing. Ten of the better varieties thus obtained are 

 briefly described and illustrations given of the nuts. 



The seasons in a flower garden, Louise Shelton {New York: Charier 

 Scrihiwr'.^ Sanfi, 1906. pp. 111. plx. '/). — A popular garden book giving specific 

 directions for the planting of different kinds of flowers and the work to be done 

 in the garden during each month of the year. 



The amateur gardener's rose book, J. Hoffmann (London, Neir York. (Did 

 Bombay: Lonynian.^, Green d- Co., 190-5, pp. Xyi + 1')5. pis. 20, figs. 16). — This 

 book h;is been translated into English by John Weathers and is intended pri- 

 marily as .in adviser to garden lovers who devote special attention to roses. It 

 treats princijially of the varieties grown in Germany and England. A feature 

 of the work is 20 colored plates of as many different varieties of roses. 



Handbook on pruning roses (Croydon, Eng.: National Rose i^ociety. 1906, 

 pp. 83, figs. l.'i). — Directions are given for pruning the different kinds of roses 

 grown in England. Numerous illustr.'itions are given to supplement the written 

 descriptions. 



A manual on the phlox, C. S. Harrison (York. Nebr.: 1906. pp. 31. figs. 

 G). — This manual treats of the character and culture of different varieties of 

 phlox, and is intended for the use of the nurseryman and amateur. Suggestions 

 are also given on the showing of phlox and on the origination of new varieties. 



