842 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. [Vol. 38 



observation and are to be brought to fruit under regular field conditions. 

 Selections were made in the fields of several hundred pineapple plants to be 

 propagated by slips or by suckers to determine the constancy of certain 

 characters under asexual propagation. Through the cooperation of the Office 

 of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction of the U. S. Department of Agricul- 

 ture two varieties new to the island were introduced, one, the MacGregor, from 

 Queensland, which is said to be immune to the black heart disease ; the other 

 variety, the Commonwealth, is a seedling which has given much promise in 

 Australia. 



In connection with investigations of fruits suited to tropical conditions a co- 

 operative vineyard of about an acre in extent was established and various 

 fertilizer, variety, and cultural experiments are in progress. The fertilizer ex- 

 periments thus far conducted indicate that phosphoric acid in li)>eral amounts 

 must be applied to the type of soil iised. It was found that the Japanese 

 beetle {Adoretus umbrosus), one of the most important insect pests of grapes 

 in that region, was fairly well controlled by using rather strong doses of 

 arsenical sprays. 



The principal work with avocados has been in connection with the develop- 

 ment of a winter-ripening type with a rind sufficiently hard and tough for pro- 

 tection from the fruit fly and for profitable shipment. Several different avoca- 

 dos resulting from the crossing of an unnamed promising seedling of Guate- 

 malan type with pollen from four varieties of West Indian avocados are under 

 observation. Seven varieties of avocados attracting much attention in Cali- 

 fornia were introduced into Hawaii during the year. 



A number of mango hybrids have been produced in an attempt to combine 

 the several good qualities of the different varieties and are being gro^vn to 

 fruiting. In connection with the papaya breeding investigations, it is noted 

 that the excellence of flavor which characterized one of the original selections 

 has now been transmitted through three generations in a large proportion of 

 the offspring. There is also an encouraging ratio of bearing to nonbearing 

 ti'ees. Breeding work is being conducted with certain varieties of tomatoes in 

 an effort to secure a strain combining sufficient size with resistance to the 

 melon fly, Dacus ciicurhitw. 



Notes are given on the possibilities of cacao growing in Hawaii, including a 

 discussion of climatic and soil requirements, previous trials of cacao, and 

 methods of cultivation. 



[Horticulture at Substation No. 8, Lubbock, Tex., 1909-1914], R. E. 

 Kaeper (Texas Sta. Bui. 219 (1917), pp. 36-39. figs. 3).— A brief summary of 

 variety and adaptation tests conducted with vegetables, fruits, flowers, vines, 

 and shade and ornamental trees. 



Massey's garden book for the Southern States, W. F. Massey (Birming- 

 ham, Ala.: The Progressive Farmer Co., 1918, pp. 121, pi. 1, figs. If). — The in- 

 troductory part of this work discusses garden soil and equipment. The suc- 

 ceeding parts give specific information for the culture of all the common vege- 

 tables, a monthly working calendar, instructions for growing small fruits and 

 the control of plant diseases and insects, various reference tables, and direc- 

 tions for lawn making. 



Home vegetables and small frvrits, Fr.^nces Duncan (Neio York: Charles 

 Scribner's Sons, 1918, pp. XIV+193. pis. 8, figs. 28). — A popular treatise on the 

 culture and preservation of home vegetables and small fruits. 



Dutch market gardening and its organization, H. M. R. Leopold (Internal. 

 Inst. Agr. [Rome^, Intcrvat. Rev. Agr. Eenn., 8 (1917). No. 9, pp. 1-6).— A 

 statistical account of the market garden industry in Holland. A short bibli- 

 ography of cited literature is included. 



