HORTICULTURE. 143 



with protected flowers on some other trees, the resulting fruit in addition to 

 being seedless was somewhat smaller than Jhe fruits from fertilized ovaries. 

 These results as a whole lead to the conclusion that pollination is not always 

 necessary for the production of fruit in the papaya and that seedlessness in 

 case of the first noted tree, at least, is probably not due to a lack of pollination. 



Pruning experiments with the papaya indicate that larger sized fruit is 

 secured by removing the branches and encouraging fruit production along the 

 main trunk. Thinning the fruit on certain trees which tend to overbear was 

 likewise of considerable value. Recent trial shipments of papayas to San Fran- 

 cisco indicate that, with proper attention to selection of varieties possessing 

 shipping qualities and to careful handling and packing, papayas may be suc- 

 cessfully marketed in the United States as soon as a demand is created for the 

 fruit. 



Considerable trouble has been experienced with the Bluefields banana in 

 Hawaii because the pseudostems break off and let the bunches fall. This 

 appears to be due to a number of contributory causes, such as close planting 

 and lack of pruning, thereby promoting weak stem growth. Furthermore, the 

 bunches are allowed to remain on the plants until they become too heavy. In 

 order to lessen decay in transit, bananas grown for export should be removed 

 from the plant some time before the bunch has attained its full growth. The 

 so-called Hamakua banana regarded by some as identical w^ith Bluefields was 

 determined as distinct from Bluefields but resembling it sufficiently to be 

 marketed as Bluefields, 



With the exception of spraying experiments (E. S. R., 26, p. 441) little new 

 work has been undertaken with mangoes. One of the new varieties to come 

 Into bearing, the Brindabani, appears to be valuable for its heavy and early 

 bearing habits. It has borne mature fruit 18 months after being grafted. The 

 Brindabani and the Oahu, a large fine man^o bearing fruit of good quality, are 

 described. The method of making fruit models used at the station as a means 

 of record in the study of mango varieties is here described in detail. 



The citrus orchards have been extended somewhat during the year. A list 

 Is given of the citrus varieties now growing on the station grounds, together 

 with information relative to accessions and distributions and a note on propa- 

 gating hibiscus. 



Keport of the South Haven substation, F. W. Wilken (Michigan Sta. Rpt. 

 1911, pp. lS.'i-186).—A brief report for the year ended June 30, 1911. 



Variety tests of strawberries have been discontinued because the soil on the 

 station property is not considered desirable for strawberry culture. Extensive 

 tests of the comparative value of Bordeaux mixture, self-boiled lime-sulphur, 

 and commercial diluted lime-sulphur on apple, peach, pear, plum, and cherry 

 trees were started in the spring of 1911. In order to make extensive tests of 

 lime-sulphur as a summer spray, the usual Bordeaux mixture was replaced in 

 the general spraying by a concentrated commercial preparation, used at the rate 

 of 1 gal. to 49 gal. of water to which was added 2 lbs. of arsenate of lead. 

 This mixture as used, on some 400 varieties of tree and small fruits, but not 

 including strawberries, was satisfactory. 



Scab on the Flemish Beauty pear and rot on the Victoria plum, which has not 

 been successfully checked by Bordeaux mixture in previous years, were almost 

 entirely controlled by lime-sulphur. Grape black rot was not well controlled by 

 lime-sulphur nor was the foliage helped. Lime-sulphur at the rate of 1 gal. 

 to 74 gal. of water was satisfactory in preventing plum rot. It can be used 

 nearer to the picking time than Bordeaux since the stain does not show on the 

 fruit. 



