746 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Experiment in root pruning, R. (Ioethe {Bcr. K. Lehrnnst. Wein, Obstu. (larten- 

 bmi,(icisenhcirii, 1900-iii, pp. IS, 19, jig. 1). — Thirty apple trees were used in this 

 experiment; 15 were root pruned according to the usual method, and 15 close root 

 pruned according to the Stringfellow method. The 2 lots were planted in similar 

 soils under like conditions and treated exactly alike in all other respects. Of the 15 

 trees root-pruned according to the usual method, 14 grew well and made a good 

 root system; while of the 15 prun:-(I according to the Stringfellow method, 12 died 

 outright. 



Root-pruned trees in Mexico, H. L. Trott [Rural New Yorker, 60 {1901), No. 

 2698, p)- 690). — The author holds that success in root pruning by the Stringfellow 

 method is a question of latitude rather than climate. It is stated that in setting out 

 a plantation of 500,000 coffee trees, 2 to 5 years old, the trees were cut back to a 

 trunk of 6 in. and a root of 6 in., and shipped. When these were set out 2 in. more 

 were cut off both trunk and root. The stubs were then planted in holes driven by 

 a pointed stick. These stubs grew well and made trees superior to those grown 

 from unpruned nursery stock because they branched low. Rubber trees were suc- 

 cessfully grown in the same way. 



Self and cross pollination: The influence of pollination on the form of the 

 seed, R. Goethe [Ber. K. Lehrnnst. Wein, Obst u. Gartenbau, Geisenheim, 1900-01, 

 pp. 19-24, fig^- 14). — This is an account of some experiments to determine the degree 

 of fertility or sterility of apple and pear blossoms to their own pollen, and of the 

 effect on the form of the seed of crossing different varieties of pears. Illustrations 

 are given of the parent seed in each instance and of the seed of the crossed fruit. 



Fertilizing orchard fruits, A. Wagner ( Wiener Jllus. Gart. Ztg., 26 {1901), No. 

 10, pp. 345-S52). — A comprehensive popular article on orchard fertilizing. 



Subtropical fruits in Florida, A. A. Boggs {Fruitman's Guide, 12 {1901), No. 

 298, pp. 12, 13, 17) . — A iiajier read at the Buffalo meeting of the American Pomolog- 

 ical Society, 1901. The status in Florida of the pineapple, citrus fruits, mango, 

 avocado, pear, pa paw, etc., is noted. 



Nursery culture of apples, J. P. Andrews {Nat. Nur.'<eri/man, 9 {1901), No. 10, 

 pp. 254, 255). — Some of the prol)lems confronting nurserymen in the Northwest are 

 presented and discusse<l. 



Study of the ripening of apples, R. Otto {Proskauer Obstbau-Ztg., 1901, Jahj; 

 abs. in Chem. Centbl., 1901, II, No. 8, p. 553). — The changes in the composition of 

 apples brought about by ripening and storing were studied by the author. The water 

 content of apples decreased as the green apples approached maturity, while the dry 

 matter increased. The -1 per cent of starch present in the green apples examined 

 decreased at first slowly, later rapidly, and finally disappeared entirely as the apples 

 ripened. The ash content of the dry matter decreased with the riiiening period and 

 with storage. The cellulose content remained constant during the early stages of 

 ripening. The nitrogenous matter and cane-sugar content increased with ripening, 

 but decreased with storage. The total acid, calculated as malic, decreased constantly 

 as did also the small amount of pectin present. 



Culture of the date palm, G. Schweinfurth {Garimfhra, 50 {1901), Nos. 19, 

 pp. 506-517; 20, pp. 541-546). — This is a popular article dealing with the cultural and 

 climatic condition required in date growing, fertilizers, irrigation, pollination, varie- 

 ties, renovation of old palm trees, grafting, statistics of the industry, and the problem 

 of changing the sex of palms. 



The fig in Asiatic Turkey {California Fruit Grower, 26 {1901), No. 697,]). 1). — 

 The methods followed in curihg and packing ligsin thf \ icinity of Smyrna are noted 

 and contrasted with California methods. 



The olive in Tunis, M. Min.vngoin {Tuni.^: DIr. Agr. et Com., U Olivier en Tunisie, 

 1901, pp. 70, ph. 10, figs. 4). — This deals with the propagation, culture, and varieties 

 of olives grown in tiie different fruit regions of Tunis. Other phases, such as manur- 

 ing, irrigating, and insects and diseases of olives, are also considered, and a chapter 



