9^0 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



out success. Cross sections of the skin of the difierent prunes were 

 made in order to determine whether the rehitive thickness of the epi- 

 dermis was in any way connected with the failure to check. A slight 

 difference in the thickness of the epidermis was noticed, but not suf 

 ficient to account for the difference in behavior in dipping. 



Samples of dried prunes, received later in the season, were classed 

 and those graded as frogs averaged 120 to the pound ami contaiiicd 

 3r).27 per ceut sugar. The large prunes were of good quality and 

 averaged 43.2 per pound and contained 35.25 per cent sugar. The 

 bloaters were large, dark colored inside in places, hollow, and in many 

 cases the stone was split. They averaged 37.4 per pound and contained 

 3!) per cent sugar. The higher content of sugar in the bloaters is 

 accounted for by their complete ripeness when gathered. The bloaters 

 are doubtless large, soft, very ripe prunes, which in falling from the 

 tree become injured in such a way as to allow fermentation germs to 

 find entrance, probably through the hole left by the detachment from 

 the stem. The remedy would be frequent gathering and quick drying. 

 The frogs are attributed to various causes, such as unsuitable or i>oor 

 soils, overbearing, incomplete development, fungus attacks, in fact 

 anything which prevents the fruit from attaining a normal and com- 

 plete development and maturity will cause frogging. Judicious prim 

 ing of the trees is recommended, so as not to allow overbearing and 

 to secure better lighting. 



The relative merits of lye dipping and pricking are set forth at some 

 length, and the conclusions drawn are that if fine, well-ripened i)runes 

 in good drying weather are to be had, the choice of methods must 

 depend on the appearance which is most attractive to the average cus- 

 tomer, and that the smaller sizes on the whole would be more advan- 

 tageously treated by the pricking rather than the lye process. 



The cultivated blackberries and dewberries, H. N. Starnes 

 {Georgia 8ta. Bui. 33, pp. 493-523, pis. 4). — This bulletin contains 

 popular directtions for the culture of blackberries and dewberries, 

 results of experiments with these berries in 1896, including variety 

 tests and a comparison of old with new ])lats, and descriptions of 

 varieties tested. 



The first part deals separately with soil and location, preparation, 

 manuring, propagation, x)lanting, cultivation, pruning, and diseases 

 and remedies. The kind of cultivator and the form of dewberry trellis 

 recommended are figured. 



The variety tests included 29 varieties of blackberries and 5 varieties 

 of dewberries. Ilelative yield and size of berry with dates of first 

 bloom, first ripe fruit, and first picking are given in tables. Tlie author 

 draws the following conclusions: 



"(1) The dewberries are, as a rule, eaili('r than blackberries. The one exception 

 (Trinity Early) is doubtless a hybrid. 



"(2) Dewberries, while earlier, are also less productive than the average black- 

 berry. The one exception (Austin Ini])roved) is also doubtless a hybrid. 



