248 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



reason to hope that other hybrids between the Chickasaw or Hortulana specdes and 

 the Americana pUnns may produce the thinness of skin that is so much desired." 

 Some suggestions are given for breeding the native plums, and as a guide to those 

 interested in the subject, the following list is offered for plum breeding with the 

 belief expressed that the different varieties mentioned possess in a high degree the 

 qualities assigned to them: " Surprise for quality, Brittlewood for size, Freeman for 

 color, Aitkin for earliness, and Wildgoose for thinness of skin." 



Notes on the prune, principally from a Californian point of view, S. C. Lamb 

 {Jour. Roil. Horl. Soc. {Londoii], 23 {1900), No. 3, pp. 350-376, jigs. 17, map 1). — 

 This discusses the introduction and development of the prune industry in California, 

 and gives methods of culture employed, including methods of grading, drying, and 

 packing. The,i)rincipal varieties of California prunes are described in considerable 

 detail, and notes given on diseases and insect enemies of prunes, and their control. 



The date palm and its culture, W. T. Swingle ( V. S. Dept. Agr. Yearbook 1900, 

 pp. 453-490, }jIs. 9, figs. 4). — A popular account is given of the history, importation, 

 and culture of the date palm in this country. The date palm is shown to be adapted 

 to only a few localities in the southwestern part of the country, which have a hot 

 and dry climate. The Colorado Desert, it is believed, will probably prove the best 

 date growing region in the country, if not in the world. There are also many places 

 in Arizona and California where the culture of date palms can be undertaken with 

 good hope of success, as well as in some few localities in New Mexico, Texas, and 

 Nevada. In 1899-1900 420 young date palms, comprising about 27 of the best known 

 western Sahara varieties, including the famous Degiet noor variety, were imported 

 by this Department and are now being grown experimentally in the Salt River Val- 

 ley, Arizona. About 3 dozen plants of the Rhars, considered one of the best early 

 dates for drying, were also sent to California and are now being grown experimen- 

 tally under the auspices of the University of California. 



Fig- drying, C. H. Gorman {Agr. Gaz. New South Wales, 12 {1901), No. 3, pp. 

 367-369, fig. 1). — Specific directions for drying figs and packing for shipment. 



Grape fruit classified, {Rural Californian, 24 {1901), No. 4, pp. 132, 133).— The 

 California conmiittee on pomelo culture finds a total of 10 varieties of grape fruit 

 grown in that State, of which Thursby, Foggs Improved Sweet, Nectar, and Seedless 

 are highly recommended. All 10 varieties are briefly described. 



Pineapple culture in southwest Florida, F. G. Tise {Rural New Yorker, 60 

 {1901), Nu. 2676, p. 338). — The methods practiced are noted in detail. 



Propagating the mango, J. B. Beach {Florida Agr.^ 28 {1901) , No. 18, p. 273) . — 

 The author has had some success in budding mangoes, but inarching has resulted 

 most satisfactorily. 



Frost and fruits, A. C. Fuller {Pacific Rural Press, 61 {1901), No. 19, p. 292). — 

 The author presents some data to show the value of burr clover and grasses in the 

 prune orchard as a protection against frost. 



Orchard cover crops, J. Craig {Proc. West. Nev: York Hort. Soc. 1901, pp. 12-17). — 

 The benefits of cover crops and the plants most suited for the purpose are discussed. 



Mistakes in orchard management and how they may be avoided, J. Ettle 

 {Jour. Roy. Ilort. Soc. [London], 25 {1901), No. 3, pp. 256-285, figs. 33).— This, is a 

 popular discussion of the practical details of orchard work and of the mistakes made 

 in selecting varieties and seeds, planting, staking, pruning, and manuring trees. The 

 work is considered from the standpoint of nurserymen, landlord, and tenant. 



Common mistakes in fruit culture, G. Bunyard {Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc. ['London'], 

 25 {1901), No. 3, pp. 317-322). — Common mistakes in the setting, watering, cultiva- 

 tion, pruning, root pruning, fruit thinning, and jjurchasing trees are pointed out, 

 with suggestions in each instance as to right methods. 



Shade in coffee culture, O. F. Cook ( U. S. Dept. Agr., Division of Botany Bid. 25, 

 pp. 79, pis. 16). — A review of the literature on the value of shade in coffee culture, 



