HORTICULTURE. 839 



Blossoming seasons of plums (pp. 92-98). — The time of blossoming and 

 duration of blossoming period of 17G varieties of plums is shown in a 

 chart, the varieties being arranged in the order of their time of blossom- 

 ing. The chart represents the average blossoming season in the latitude 

 of Denton, Maryland, observations made in orchards there being taken 

 as a basis for the chart, and supplemented by data secured from orchards 

 representing all sections of North America. The duration of the blos- 

 soming season of plums is 4 or 5 weeks in the extreme south, and 

 becomes gradually less northward, being but 9 or 10 days in northern 

 Vermont. The average duration for each variety varies from 5 or 

 days in the extreme south to 2 or 3 days in the extreme north. Given 

 varieties do not always blossom in the same order in different localities, 

 or even in different seasons in the same locality. The author believes, 

 however, that these variations are not common enough to affect seri- 

 ously the reliability of the general averages. The date of blossoming 

 of 8 varieties of plums at Denison, Texas, and Ottawa, Ontario, in 

 1896 and in 1897 are tabulated, to show the extremes of the blossoming 

 periods in America. 



Classification of plums, F. A. WAUGH ( Vermont $ta. Bpt. lS96- , 97, 

 pp. 98-106). — The classification presented in this article gives the opinion 

 of the author aud J. W. Kerr, of Denton, Maryland, on the relation- 

 ships of the cultivated varieties of plums. The following groups are 

 recognized: Domestica (Prunus domestica .-Japanese ( /'. tri flora), Amer- 

 icana, (P. americana), Nigra (P. americana nigra), .Miner [P.hortulana), 

 Wayland (P. hortulana), Wild Goose (/'. hortulana), Chicasaw ( V. angus- 

 tifolia ;, and Marianna (probably hybrids). The affinities of these groups 

 are discussed and the varieties referred to each group are noted. 



The preservation of fruits by vapor of alcohol, F. A. Waugh 

 {Vermont Sta. Rpt. 1896- J 97, pp. 111-116). — A number of experiments 

 in keeping various fruits are reported. In addition to tests with alco- 

 hol, dilute formalin and "platinum waste recovery fluid'' were used in 

 one case. The results were mostly negative. The author concludes 

 that vapor of alcohol in a closed space will prevent more or less the 

 growth of fungi and bacteria which usually cause decay but to be 

 effective it must be present in considerable quantities, in which case 

 the fruits, especially those with soft flesh, absorb enough alcohol to 

 render them very disagreeable to the taste. The fruit deteriorates in 

 color and texture and processes of decay other than those due to fungi 

 and bacteria seem to be hastened. The method seems best adapted to 

 keeping "grapes but may be of some value for preserving other fruits, 

 as strawberries and raspberries, for a very short time. 



Report of the horticulturist of the experimental farm for the Maritime Prov- 

 inces, W. S. Blair Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1896, pp. 313-319). — Brief notes arc 

 given on a number of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. In most cases the 

 notes arc accompanied by lists of varieties which are considered most desirable. 



Coffee culture in the Hawaiian Islands, W. Haywood (Z7. S. Consular Bpts., 

 1S0S, Xo. 209, pp. 13D-1G4). 



