142 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOKD. 



A simple puiictiiro experiment was conducted to test the strength of the skin 

 as a means of protection for the lemons. A blunted needle point applied with 

 measured force was found to inmcture the skin much more readily when applied 

 directly over an oil gland than when applied in the sunken places between the 

 glands. The resistance to puncture in tent-cured fruit appears to be double 

 that of tree-ripened fruit, the oil glands of the latter being less protected. 



A limited series of storage tests was made of tree-ripe, tent-cured and sweated 

 lemons. Data are given showing the total loss of lemons from all forms of 

 decay during IG weeks in storage as well as the loss apparently due to blue 

 mold, which source of danger, as in the case of oranges (E. S. R., 20, p. 43), 

 is chielly troublesome when the skin of the fruit has been mechanically injured. 

 The tent-cured fruit possessed much better keeping qualities than the tree- 

 ripe fruit. There was a great variation in the decay among the sweated lots, 

 the cause of which has not been determined. 



There appeared to be no material difference as to the keeping qualities be- 

 tween the fruit obtained from the coast, the foothills, and the inland districts. 



The most serious cause of decay during the first 3 or 4 weeks was the 1)1 ue 

 mold. Five apparently distinct types of slow diseases of the rind were seen, 

 which often possess striking form and color characteristics. No study was 

 made of these diseases since the loss directly due to them was apparently 

 small. At the end of 3 or 4 weeks the percentage of decay appears to decrease 

 for a time, after which tlie fruit becomes weakened and a prevalent form of 

 decay resembling in appearance and odor the virulent brown rot of the 

 citrus region occurs. It is believed that the infection from this trouble 

 probably takes place in California, the disease remaining undeveloped until 

 weeks after arrival in the eastern market. The study of this disease is to be 

 continued. 



Contributions to the knowledge of the coco palm (Cocos nucifera) {Bui. 

 Kolon. il/w.s. Haarlem, 1909, No. .'/l, pi'- 100, pis. 16). — This is a collection of 5 

 prize essays by L. A. T. J. F. Van Oijen, J. B. Tabel, W. Tani. Sr., R. C. W. 

 Welborn, and J. Bakker, consisting of accounts of the coconut palm in the 

 Dutch East and "West Indies relative to its botany, details of culture, insect 

 pests and fungus diseases, and the production of copra, coconut oil, and coir. 

 Data are also given relative to the extent of the industry, cost of establishing 

 and maintaining plantations, yields, returns, etc. 



Comparative tests of nitrog'eiious fertilizers in pot culture, A. Petit {Bui. 

 Mens. Off. Renseig. Agr. [Paris], 8 {1909), Ao. 1. pp. 7-9). — Tests to ascertain 

 the best amount of nitrate of soda to apply in case of certain ornamental plants 

 are reported. The conclusion reached is that it is not safe to apply more than 

 from 0.5 to 1 gm. of nitrate of soda at one time to each plant in pots 11 to 12 cm. 

 in diameter, 1 to 2 gm. in pots 14 to 16 cm. in diameter, or more than 4 gm. in 

 pots 20 cm. in diameter. 



The workman's garden, A. Gravier and H. Latiere {Les Jardins Ouvriers. 

 Paris, 1907, pp. VII +479, figs. 231). — This is a popular nianuai on fruit, vege- 

 table, and ornamental gardening, especially designed for amateur gardeners. 

 In addition to a discussion of the general principles of gardening, the cultural 

 details for growing all kinds of fruits, vegetables, and flowers and other orna- 

 mentals are given. Several chai>ters of the work are devoted to descriptions 

 of various types of gardens, including working plans for the development of 

 each type. 



