HOKTIOULTURE. 1071 



The white blackberry "Iceberg-" [Sci. Aincr., 88 {1903), No. 19, p. 358, fig. 1).— 

 An account of the origination by Luther Burbank of a white blackberr3% The fruit 

 is wiiite and of good quality, being as firm when ripe as Lawton. The plant is said 

 to be very productive. 



Unfruitful currants, Ewekt ( (Idiienfiora, 52 {1903) , Xo. 8, pp. 210-:? IS, figs. 6). — 

 Tlie author made an inventigation of certain varieties of currants that flowered pro- 

 fusely but failed to produce fruits. The flowers were first examined as to the amount 

 of nectar they might contain, when it was found that the amount of dextrose in 

 flowers of unfruitful sorts was practically equal to that in fruitful varieties. The 

 l)ollen of the vmfruitful sorts was found to germinate in a o per cent sugar solution 

 containing I5 per cent of gelatin. The pistils of a large number of varieties were 

 llien examined and it was found that while the pistils of the unfruitful <;urrants were 

 practically as long as any of a number of other varieties, tiie width was very much 

 less. Drawings are given showing the difference in the appearance of the stigmas of 

 sterile and fruitful currants, and the opinion is expressed that the sterility in the 

 case under observation was largely due to some malformation of the pistils. 



Grafts in moss, R. C. de Briailles {Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. L'Esl), 24 {1903), 

 Nos. 10, pp. 308-310; 11, pp. 326-3.33, figs. 4). — An account of the handling of grape 

 bench grafts. As soon as the grafts are made they are placed in boxes containing a 

 layer of moistened moss and charcoal mixed in the proportion of 1 of charcoal to 3 

 (if moss. A layer of this mixture about 10 cm. deep is placed in the bottom of the 

 box. The grafts are then put m and surrounded with a layer of the mixture about 

 5 cm. thick. The top of the grafts are covered over with cut moss and charcoal 6 to 

 8 cm. deep. Boxes of grafts thus prepared w^hen covered are ready for shipment. 

 In the future care of these grafts the boxes are placed in warm rooms having a tem- 

 perature of 30 to 35°. AVithin about 24 hours thereafter the buds begin to swell; in 

 4 or 5 days they lengthen rapidly, and within 8 days have a length of several centi- 

 meters. At this time the layer of moss over the grafts is removed completely and 

 the condition of the growing l)uds noted. If all is going well a layer of recently pre- 

 l)ared chopped moss and charcoal about 2 cm. deep is replaced over them. If any 

 ai)pear to l)e rotting these are left exposed for about 24 hours and then covered. If 

 transpiration is taking })lace too rapidly in some portions of the box a thicker layer 

 of moistened moss and charcoal is placed over them. The plants are watered by 

 l>lacing the boxes in a tank so that the water rises through holes in the bottom 

 nearly up to the callus. The w^ater should have the same temperature as the room. 

 No water is applied above, since it is likely to cause mildew and rotting. Watering 

 from below is practiced about every 8 days. Within 15 to 20 days the grafts Avill 

 have become well calloused and a considerable leaf growth have appeared. The 

 plants may be then hardened off as rapidly as desired and transplanted to the field. 



Some of the advantages of growing grafts in moss rather than out of doors are as 

 follows: The work of grafting is simplified, the grafts being put in boxes as soon as 

 made and no tying required; a degree of vegetation is attained in 20 days that in 

 outdoor practice would require about 2 months; a more perfect callus and union is 

 obtained; disbudding of the stock is unnecessary. 



Grape pollen and pollination, F. H. Hall, 8. A. Beach, and N. O. Booth 

 {Xeiv York State Sta. Bids. 223 and 224, popular ed., pp. 8, ph. ;?).— This is a popular 

 edition of these bulletins (E. S. R., 14, pp. 869, 870). 



The use of plaster in viticulture: Its application in connection with, 

 manures, L. Gkandeau {.Tour. Agr. I'rat., n. ser., 5 {1903), No. 14,p)). 432-434). — 

 Experiments extending over a number of years are reported. These showed that 

 applications of gypsum alone or in connection with barnyard manure largely 

 increased the yield of grapes. 



Direct shipments of grapes from Spain, A. E. Cableton ( U. S. Consular Rpts., 

 72 {1903), No. 272, pp. 81, 82). — Notes on the shipment of fresh grapes from Spain 

 to the United States and possibilities of the further development of this trade. 



