HORTICULTURE. 45 



Pineapple growing' in Porto Rico, II. ('. IIenricksen and M. J. Iorns {Porto 

 Rico iS7h. BuI. iS, pj). 7-.'f2, pis. 6). — This is a discussion of pineapple culture 

 with special reference to Porto Rico conditions. The subject-matter is based 

 upon studies of the pine-growing sections of the West Indies and Florida, and 

 of local conditions in I'orto liico, together with original studies of the particular 

 i-cqnireuients for successful pineapple jirodnction. The following phases are 

 discussed: Structure of the jtineapple plant, propagation, soil and its prepara- 

 tion, methods of planting, habit of growth, cultivation, fertilizers, varieties, 

 fruiting, subsequent care, marketing and marketing associations, shipping, can- 

 ning, pineapple growing as a business proposition, and diseases and insects, and 

 their control. 



Pineapple growers are cautioned to secure for planting only absolutely guar- 

 antied healthy plants from clean plantations to prevent the introduction of 

 diseases. 



Pineapple shipping experiments in 1908, J. E. Higgins (Hawaii /S7«. 

 Press Bui. 22. pji. U, pi. I). — This is a progress report on the cooperative pine- 

 apple shii)ping experiments being conducted by the station and several growers. 



The results of comparisons of the shipping qualities of pineapples from differ- 

 ent fields confirmed those previously secured (E. S. R., 20. p. 538). The fruit 

 was carefully handled from field to market during the past season, and the loss 

 l)y bruising reduced to almost insignificant proportions. The value of curing 

 or holding the fruit for a day or two before packing was tested, the results in- 

 dicating that 24 hours was sufficient time to allow for the drying of the stems 

 and the cooling of the fruit down to air temperature in the shade, although a 

 longer time might be required during the damper weather when the winter crop 

 is being harvested. 



Temperature records taken of the air surrounding the fruit in transit show 

 that the temperature on the poop deck constantly fell below that of the " 'tween 

 decks." Comparison of the fmiits carried in both parts of the ship shows no 

 advantage for one over the other. The author is of the opinion, however, that 

 the " 'tween decks," if adequately ventilated, will alford the safest and best 

 part of the ship for pineapples. 



New precooling apparatus (Ice and Rcfrig., 36 (1909), No. 5, pp. 258, 259, 

 figs. S). — A new precooling apparatus for cooling fruit in railway cars or else- 

 where is described and illustrated. The machine, which was invented by J. D. 

 Cunningham, is being used in the South for precooling small fruits and vege- 

 tables. It is said to reduce the temperature from 85° or 90° F. down to from 

 40° to 45° in one hour or less, at the same time eliminating the excess moisture 

 and enabling the ice contained in the car to hold down the temperature until 

 the produce arrives at its destination. 



Notes on nut culture, C. I. Lkwis (Oregon Sta. Circ. 3, pp. 3). — This circular 

 is issued to meet the demands for information on nut culture in Oregon until a 

 bulletin on the subject can be prepared, the one previously noted (E. S. R., 18, 

 p. 840) now being out of print. The following phases are briefly discussed: 

 Present condition of the industry, propagation, grafting, site, planting, pruning, 

 cultivation, harvesting, varieties, and the market. Short notes are also given 

 on the culture of almonds and filberts. 



Report of the committee on breeding carnations, C. W. Ward (Amer. 

 Breeders' Assoc. Proc, h (1908). pp. 258-269. figs. 20).— This is a report on 

 methods •find technique of improving carnations by breeding in which the author 

 gives considei'able data derived from his own investigations along that line. 



Stocks, .Miss E. R. S.\unders and II. B. Kim.uy ( /i'/</.s-. to Erolution Com. 

 Roy. Hoc. [London^, 1908, No. .'i, pp. 35--'i0). — Tabular data are given ou recent 



