horticulture: 647 



The commercial value of cider fruits in England since the seventeenth 

 century, A. Truelle [Mnn. Soc. Nat. Agr. Fmuce, 139 {WOO), pp. SS3-431).— Histor- 

 ical review of prices and varieties. 



The date-palm orchard, R. H. Forbes { Arizona Sf a. Rpt. 1901, pp. 315-318,342).— 

 Data are givi-n on tlie edudition in July, 1901, of the 405 date palms comprising 27 

 varieties which were received through this Department in July, 1900, and set out in 

 the station and Tempe orchards. The data sliow that 71 per cent of the suckers set, 

 incl iding 22 varieties, are now established and for the most part growing vigorously, 

 11 per cent are still alive but very feeble, while 18 per cent are dead. 



Relative to methods of shipping suckers data are given which show "that it is 

 much better to transport the suckers immediately after cutting them from the parent 

 tree than to grow them in tubs or garden before shipment." 



Various methods were employed in packing these suckers for shipment from Algiers, 

 and they were 2 months in transit. The author states that "those palms which 

 were shipped with no packing whatever came through as well or better than those 

 carefully bound in wet moss or packed in charcoal. As a precaution, however, against 

 unusual delay in transit it is probably safer to bind coverings of wet moss about the 

 bases of the suckers and provide for renewal of moisture on the road." 



Fumigation of the suckers with 0.3 to 0.5 per cent fumigations of hydrocyanic-acid 

 gas was made with scarcely any apparent and no lasting injury, while the scales 

 appeared to be all killed. 



Most of the suckers received were planted in the "extremely alkaline" Tempe 

 orchard. These gave about the same percentages of growing and living trees as those 

 which were planted in the fresh soil of the station orchard. 



Reliable comparisons could not be made as to the shipping endurance of different 

 varieties, though 82 per cent of the Rhars is now living, as compared witli 70 per cent 

 of the Deglet Noor. Some of the largest, as well as some of the smallest, suckers 

 have perished alike during the season. Very small suckers are considered less desir- 

 able for field operations. ' ' The main points observed thus far in caring for the suckers 

 have been to plant not deeper than their greatest diameter and to water assiduously 

 after planting. ' ' 



Date culture, A. J. McClatchie {Arizona Sla. Rpt. 1901, pp. 321, 322). — 

 Brief notes are given on the fruiting habits of the date palms at the station, 

 and on packing dates. Full crops are apparently borne only in each alternate sea- 

 son. Dates ripening from September to October could be packed directly from the 

 tree, while those ripening in the cooler and moister weather of late autumn and early 

 winter required some drying before being packed. In order to prevent too rapid 

 drying of the dates after being picked, due to the aridity of the climate, it was found 

 secessary to pack them in boxes surrounded with paraffine paper and keep them 

 well covered. Date seed made the best growth when planted during January or 

 February, though the statement is made that it may be planted any time during 

 winter, spring, or early summer. 



Preparation and conservation of dried figs, Trabut {Bui. Agr. Algeric et 

 Tunisie, 7 {1901), No. 11, pp, 241-240, fig-'<. 8). — Brief descrijitions are given of 

 some of the more common varieties of figs used in the Mediterranean districts 

 for drying, with notes on methods of drying and packing for market. 



A new fig for drying, Trabut {Bui. Agr. Algerie et Tunisie, 7 {1901), No. 15, pp. 

 S53-355, figs.2). — A new white fig which the author has named Isly is figured and 

 described. In taste it resembles the Smyrna and is considered by the author well 

 adapted for drying purposes. 



Stoneless prunes, L. H. Bailey {Pacific Coast Fruit World, 11 {1901), No. 22, p. 

 6). — The work of Luther Burl)ank in breeding stoneless prunes is mentioned. 

 Mr. Burbank has succeeded in Ijreeding out the pits of prunes though the soft ker- 

 nels still remain. These prune trees are not as yet on the market and may not be 



