854 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



partakes not a little of the nature of historical narrative, and interest in this nar- 

 rative is much enhanced by the author's lucid and entertaining style. Appended to 

 the description of the American grape are a synopsis of the American species of 

 grapes and a bibliography of American grape literature. Much attention is given 

 to the analysis of the complex relationships existing within the genus Prunus. The 

 author's study of the American Rubi has brought to light a surprising confusion in 

 the nomenclature of the blackberry and dewberry group. He has personally identi- 

 fied the type specimens of this group in European herbaria, and h;is thoroughly 

 revised the nomenclature to agree with them. The concluding chapter of the book, 

 general remarks on the improvement of our native fruits, is a reprint Avith minor 

 modifications of a paper originally contributed to the 1896 Yearbook of this Depart- 

 ment, pp. 297-301 (E. S. R., 9, p. 558). In tracing the evolution of the native American 

 fruits the author has brought to light many facts of great historical interest and 

 has called attention to the opportunities that await the explorer in the field of his- 

 tory of agriculture. 



A new fruit (Salpichroa rhomboidea), F.W. Burrridge (Sci. Amer. Sup., 47 (1899), 

 No. 1:204, p. 19297). — This fruit, which is also known as Withamia and belongs to the 

 Solanacese, is said to be ovoid, "about the size of a small olive, the skin being, when 

 ripe, pale yellow, and filled with soft pulp and seeds." It is said to taste "like a 

 combination of nectarine and pineapple, with a dash of melon thrown in." It is 

 believed that the fruit will never become of much economic value. 



Fruits at the experimental farm for British Columbia, T. A. Sharpe (Canada 

 Expt. Farms Rpt. 1897, pp. 420-433). — Data, in regard to varieties of various fruits are 

 given in notes and tables. 



Fruits, H. Benton (Alabama Canebrake Sta. Bui. IS, pp. 12-15). — A list of fruit 

 trees planted on the station grounds. Certain varieties of apples, pears, and grapes 

 are recommended as especially adapted to the soil and climate. 



History of the Yellow Newton apple (Montana Fruit Grower, S (1S99), No. 37, 

 p. 1). — Historical and descriptive notes. 



Report on plums, G. Vestal and F. Garcia (Neio Mexico Sta. Bui. 27, pp. 117- 

 132). — This bulletin gives directions for plum culture. The subjects discussed are 

 soil for plums, the best stocks for plums, planting the orchard, the best time to plant 

 trees, arrangement of trees in the orchard, cultivation of the orchard, irrigation of 

 the orchard, pruning, thinning the fruit, fertilization of plums, and selection of 

 varieties. 



Varieties of the domestica group are principally planted in New Mexico. The 

 American and Japanese groups do not succeed, on account of the late spring frosts, 

 the almost certain occurrence of which is a determining factor in the selection of 

 varieties. Descriptions are given of varieties that have fruited in the station 

 orchard, together with tables showing the dates of blooming the last four years; 

 and another table shows the maximum and minimum temperature during the bloom- 

 ing period. A number of varieties not in the station orchard are recommended for 

 trial throughout the Territory. 



Olive culture, Z. Espejo (Gultivo del oliro. Madrid: M. G-. Hernandez, 189S, pp. 

 228). — In addition to treating of olive culture, notes are given of the insect and plant 

 parasites and means for their repression. 



The persimmon, J. C. YViiittkn (Fruitman's Guide, 7 (1S99), No. 157, p. 14). — Notes 

 on the variability, marketing, use, and propagation of this fruit. 



Modern viticulture, G. De Dubor ( Viticulture moderne. Paris: Ubrairie Larousse, 

 1S9S, pp. 156, fi<js. 100). — A popular work. 



Summer irrigation of grapes, G. Barb a (Prog. Ayr. ct Fit. (ed. Vest), 20 (1S99), 

 No. 2, pp. 46-54: 5, pp. 149-158, fin*. 3: 7, pp. 202-207). — Winter and spring irrigation 

 have long been practiced to destroy phylloxera. In this article the advantages of 

 summer irrigation are, discussed and methods and appliances are described. 



Subwatering and dry air in greenhouses, J. C. Arthur ( Amer. Florist, 14 ( 1899), 

 No. 559, pp. 850-852, fig. 1; Florists' Exchange, 11 (1S99), No. 7, pp. 166, 167).— The 



