MORTICULTUKE. '255 



'[)p. 109, no). — A list, is given of a lunulicr ni books on strawberries imhlislicd in 

 England, France, (Jerniany, and America. 



The cranberry industry {Sri. . liner., S(! {100.2), Nd. Li, pp. JOG, 207, Jup. O). — 

 A general article discussing methods of growing, with illustrations of modern ways 

 and an account of the cranberry districts, yields, etc. 



Field grafting and bench, grafting {Pacific Rural Press, 63 {1902), Nu. -M, p. 

 :1JS). — The advantages of bench grafting grapes over field grafting are discussed. 



Stocks for calcareous soils, L. Ravaz {Prog. Agr. ct Vit. {Ed. L'Ei^t), 23 {1902), 

 Xos. 3,j}p. 73-7 ft, pi. 1; 4,PP- 100-102, pi. 1; r.,pp. 134-136, pi. 1; S, pp. 230-233, pi. 1; 

 13, pp. 369-371, }>l. 1; 17, pp. 4S2-.'/S4, pi. 1) ■ — ^A short descriptive review is gi\-en of 

 the stocks that may l)e protitalily em])loyed on calcareous soils. 



Electricity for cultivation of plants {Tradesman, 47 {1902), No. 1'2, ]>. or,). — A 

 brief note on experiments by J. Fuchs in the use of atmosi)heric electrii-ity in grape 

 culture. 



Instantaneous bleaching liquid for nuts, G. E. Colby {California Sta. Rpt. 

 1S99-1901, pt. 1, pp. 57-61). — The recent enormous crops of walnuts in Cahfornia 

 have made it necessary to provide rapid-acting bleaching solutions in order that 

 great numbers of carloads of nuts may be simultaneously brought into marketable 

 condition. Tests have therefore been made at the station of different l)leaching 

 solutions to determine their relative values. In the exjjeriments walnut culls two 

 j'ears old were used. The stains on these were dried, hard, and more lixed in 

 character than those ordinarily found on fresh nuts. 



The first formula used consisted of lbs. of chlorid of lime, 12 lbs. of sal soda, and 

 50 gal. of water. Walnut culls treated with this solution for 5 minutes were made 

 act;eptable in appearance and salable. A\'hen to this same fornuila dilute sulphuric 

 acid (0.15 per cent of acid in 50 gal. of water) was added, the nuts were bleached in 

 from 5 to 10 seconds, and after washing presented a clean appearance and were 

 acceptable to the trade. The nuts were not injured in the least l)y tliis method of 

 treatment. When dilute acetic acid (0.22 per cent in 50 gal. of water) was substi- 

 tuted for the sulphuric acid, the results were equally good and there was no develop- 

 ment of rancidity in the nuts with perfect shells after they had stood a month. 

 These same percentages of sulphuric acid and acetic acid were also used with another 

 formula made up of 25 lbs. of bleaching powdei', IS ]l)s. of sal soda, and 50 gal. of 

 water. This formula without the acids cleaned the nuts in 5 minutes, and with the 

 acids in from 5 to 10 seconds. Treatment for 5 mimites with a 1 per cent solution of 

 bisulphite of calcium failed to remove the stains, even when a little dilute suljahuric 

 acid was added. Laboratory experiments with both bleaching powder formulas 

 sliowed that they could be used successively as many as four times, and it is recom- 

 mended to use them until exhausted, which is shown by failure to evolve chlorin 

 gas when fresh sulphuric acid is added. 



The results of the station's work with the instantaneous bleaching formulas suggest 

 the following fornmla as being most satisfactory for connnercial use: Sal soda, 12 

 11 IS.; chlorid of lime, 12 lbs.; water, 45 gal. dilute sulphuric acid as noted above. 

 The method of i)reparing and using it on a large scale is described. By having proper 

 drain boards to save the bleaching solution, 4 to 5 tons of walnuts can l)e l)leached 

 w ith 50 gal. The cost of the material ior bleaching nuts by this method is about 40 

 'cts. i)er ton. It is stated that certain ]iers( )ns in the State have claimed to liold patents 

 for instantaneous methods of bleaching nuts, but the above processes are not patent- 

 able, sint-e they were given to tlie public by the station in LS9(). Theii' use is l)elieved 

 to be j^erfectly harndess and to have no other effect than that desired. 



Distribution of seeds, plants, cuttings, etc., E. J. Wickson {California. Sta. 

 Rpt. 1899-1901, pi. 1, pp. 96-123) . — An account isgiven of the seed distributed during 

 the year, with short re])orts by farmers from different sections of the State as to the 



