HORTICULTURE. 567 



The instances in which orchards have failed entirely have been found to be due to 

 the gum diseases, also known as mal-di-gomma or collar rot. Cases of partial failure 

 occurred in a number of localities and were found to be due to a number of causes, 

 including gum diseases, scale insects, insufficient or unsuitable methods of cultiva- 

 tion or irrigation, lack of fertilizers, use of bitter Seville as budding stock, and unsuit- 

 able soils and locations. In many instances a number of these causes were found 

 operating. On the whole, however, except where gum disease was very prevalent, 

 the orchards were found in fair to good condition, the cases of failure forming but a 

 small portion of the whole. 



A detailed account is given of the condition of the orchards in each of the districts 

 visited and suggestions are offered as to the methods of combating the various dis- 

 eases and insect pests, and the proper methods of propagation and irrigating. The 

 basin system of irrigating without cultivation is believed to be wasteful of water and 

 to spread and intensify gum disease. 



Citronella and lemon grass in Ceylon, India, and the West Indies, J. C. 

 Saweb (Trop. Agr., 24 {1904), No. 4, pp. 228-225; Bui. Dept. Agr. Jamaica, ! [1904), 

 No. 10, pp. 224-231). — A botanical account is given of the citronella and lemon grasses 

 of these countries, with a list of the citronella estates in Ceylon. Statistics are given 

 on the exports of citronella oils from Ceylon, the distribution of these oils, and of the 

 shipment from Cochin of lemon-grass oil for the years 1891-1903. 



Bananas in tropical America, E. W. Perry ( West. Miner and Financier, 10 

 (1904), No. 30, pp. 4-12, Jigs. 6).— In addition to information regarding the produc- 

 tion, yield, and other topics connected with banana culture, the author gives a sum- 

 mary of data regarding dried bananas, banana flour, and other foods and feeding 

 stuffs made from banana and plantain. 



Cultivation of the mulberry, E. Lopez (Cuttivo de la morera. Murcia: Estaci&n 

 Sericicola, 1904, pp. 23, figs. 3). — A popular pamphlet on the culture of mulberries, 

 including an account of the diseases and insects affecting them. 



The breadfruit, H. E. Baum (Plant World, 6 (1903), Nos.9, pp. 197-202; 10, pp. 

 225-281; 12, pp. 273-278, pis. 4)-— The history, botany, and uses of the breadfruit 

 tree and related questions are discussed. 



Strawberries the first season, YV. Beebe ( West Virgin)" Farm Rev., 12 (1904), 

 No. 11, pp. 343, 344; abs.from Ohio Farmer). — By planting strawberries in 3-in. pots 

 the latter part of September or early in October, and sinking these pots in the 

 ground up to the rim and covering with straw 8 in. deep after the ground had 

 frozen 1 or 2 in. in depth, then transplanting early in the spring in rich soil, the 

 author secured a splendid crop of strawberries the same spring, realizing $60 from 

 1,000 plants. 



Strawberries from seed, Helen Manning (Agr. Epitomi&t, 23 (1904), No. 6, 

 p. 19) . — In originating new varieties of strawberries from seed, the fruit is left on the 

 plant until dead ripe and almost ready to rot. It is then picked and the seeds 

 scraped from the outside of the berry so as to get as little pulp as possible. The seed 

 is washed and mixed with several times its bulk of sand. It is then placed in a thin 

 muslin bag and kept between two cakes of ice for several days. "This provides the 

 touch of winter, without which the" seed does not germinate well." 



Result of some experiments, G. C. Starcher ( West Virginia Finn Rev., 12 

 (1904), No. 11, pp. 342, 343; abs.from Weston Democrat). — By the use of nitrate of 

 soda along the rows, the author secured a good crop of raspberries on thin yellow 

 clay soil on which corn was practically a failure. 



Viticultural. division, R. Bragato (New Zealand Dept. Agr. Rpt. 1U04, pp. 235-246, 

 pis. 2). — An account is given of the work of the viticultural division in analyzing 

 wines, on the presence of fungus diseases during the season, and on the general con- 

 dition of the vineyards. Tabulated data are given showing the chemical composi- 

 tion of 46 samples of wines. 



