572 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The culture and manufacture of tea in British India and Ceylon, with ref- 

 erence to its value for the tea culture of the Dutch Colonies, A. Schulte 

 (Beihrfle Tropnipjhmzer, -2 {1901), No. 2, pp. 117, fig. 1, (?;//«.'*. 5).— The author visited 

 British India and Ce.vl(,n, and made a careful study of tea culture in those countries. 

 The report inchides a discussion of the history of tea culture; also a discussion of the 

 botany, climate, soils, planting, cultivation, harvesting, and manufacture of tea. 



Exanunation of wilted tea leaves for astringent matter showed 12 per cent in the 

 l)ud and first leaf, 8J in the second and thiid leaves, 5 in the fourth and fifth leaves, 

 and 3i in the old leaves. Examination of the fresh leaves as picked for manufacture 

 in 2 different factories showed 10^ and 11 per cent, respectively, of astringent 

 material. The same leaves after rolling contained 16 and 17 per cent, and the fin- 

 ished tea 7 and 12 per cent, respectively. These figures indicate that the percentage 

 of astringent material in the tea was considerably increased by rolling but decreased 

 by subsequent oxidation. 



Three varieties of tea grown at an elevation of 450 meters showed an average astrin- 

 gent content of 8| per cent; grown at an elevation of 2,000 meters the astringent con- 

 tent averaged 11^ per cent. While a better quality of tea is thus produced in the 

 higher altitudes, a greater quantity is produced on the same area on the lower lands. 



Further experiments were made to determine whether the change in color from 

 green to yellowish brown, the development of the aroma, and the decrease of astrin- 

 gent matter with the accompanying decrease of bitter content were due to the work 

 of micro-organisms or to oxidation. The leaves were fovmd to acquire the desired 

 yellowish-brown color at a temperature of 35 to 40° C. The acid content of the 

 leaves increased considerably during the rolling process, but decreased again during 

 the oxidation process. Several different samples of tea leaves were sprayed with 

 different strength solutions of acetic acid before rolling, for the purpose of |)revent- 

 ing the development of fermentation bacteria. The presence of the acid in the leaves 

 was found to delay oxidation, but not to prevent it. Further study is necessary 

 before definite conclusions can be stated regarding the chemical changes which take 

 place in the tea during fermentation. 



The book of the strawberry, E. Beckett {London and Neiv Yorl': John Lane, 

 1902, iq). 83, pis. 4, fi'J-'^- 7). — This is the ninth of the series of Handbooks of Prac- 

 tical Gardening, edited by H. Eoberts. Besides a very satisfactory presentation of 

 cultural methods for strawberries, it includes directions fur the culture of raspberries 

 and blackberries, including the Loganberry. While some of the methods of P^nglish 

 strawberry culture differ considerably from American methods, the work neverthe- 

 less contains many suggestions regarding propagation, culture, forcing, etc., which 

 will be found useful to American strawberry growers. 



Self and cross pollination, R. Goethe {Ber. K. Lehransf. Wein, Obst ?(. Gar- 

 tenbau, Gelsenheim, 1901, pp. 62-64, fig- !)■ — Further work is reported on the number 

 and color of seeds obtained in crossing certain varieties of pears and apples. The 

 shape of the seed is illustrated in some instances. The work is in continuation of 

 that reported last year (E. S. R., 13, p. 746). 



Study of grape seeds, A. Bonnet {Ann. Ecole Nat. Agr. MonlpelUcr, u. ser., 2 

 {1902), No. 3, pp. 73-134, ph. 3, figs. 3). — A comprehensive study of the seeds of 

 grapes with reference to the identification of the variotis species, hybrids, and 

 varieties of both American and European grapes. Good illustrations are given of 

 the .seeds of nearly all of the varieties described. 



Report of the viticultural station at Eibingen, R. Goethe et al. {Ber. K. 

 Lehransf.. Wein, Obst u. Gartenhau, Gelsenheim, 1901, pp. 26-56, jds. 2, figs. 5).— This 

 report covers work in grafting grapes, rooting grape cuttings, and growing both in 

 the nursery. The percentages of plants that grew, using various species of grapes as 

 stocks, are tabulated. Other matters reported upon are the yield and (juality of 

 grapes obtained in the station vineyard, forms of pure species of Vitis and various 



