446 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.40 



Breeding a hardy pear, C. G. Patten (Minn. Hort., 1,1 (1919), No. S, pp. 

 89-95, pi. 1, figs. 2). — A popular summary of results secured by the author at 

 his experimental grounds, Charles City, Iowa, in breeding hardy and blight- 

 resistant pears. 



Acclimatization, selection, and hybridization experiments with fruit trees 

 in Alaska (Internat. hist. Agr. [Rome], Internat. Rev. Set. and Praet. Agr., 9 

 (1918), No. 6, p. 682). — This comprises a summary of investigations at the 

 Alaska Experiment Stations during the period 1903-1915, based on the annual 

 reports of the stations (E. S. R.. 36. p. 442). 



Hybridization experiments between different varieties of the cultivated 

 and wild strawberry in Alaska (Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Intermit. R> o, 

 Sci. and Praet. Agr., 9 (1918), No. 6. pp. 681, 6S2).—A summary, similar to the 

 above, of investigations conducted with strawberries at the Alaska Experiment 

 Stations during the period 1904-1915 ( B. S. R., 36, p. 442). 



A new method of grafting, H. Verdie (R( t. 1 if., 1,9 (1918), No. 1266, pp. 

 212-211,). — The method described has been successfully used by .T. M. Mothes 

 for some time in rejuvenating old grafted grapevines, and has given good re- 

 sults in trials conducted by the author. 



Vigorous sprouts from the old stock are Bhield-budded in summer, preferably 

 In July, In the Department of Gers, France, where the trials were conducted. 

 The budded sprouts are layered about five Inches deep in mounds of mellow, 

 fresh soil, where conditions are favorable for cicatrization. Union is perfected 

 in about three weeks' time, after which the soil is removed and the shoot con- 

 tinues its normal growth. The following spring the old vine is removed just 

 above the budded shoot, which is then tied up to a stake like a young vine. 



In budding shoots a straight cut about 1.5 in. long is preferred to the ordi- 

 nary T cut. To facilitate loosening the edges of the bark, the vines should be 

 flexed and the bark gently rubbed with the thumb. Great care should be taken 

 not to injure the liber in lifting the edges of the hark. Insertion of the bud 

 shield is also made easier by bending the shoot during the process. The 

 ligature should be made preferably with wool. 



A contribution to the chemical composition of pineapple and the materials 

 necessary to its cultivation. J. V. Gonc;alves de Sovsa (Rev. Agron. [Portu- 

 gal], 13 {1918), No. 1-4, pp. 26S1 ; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Internat. 

 Rev. Sci. and Praet. Agr., 9 (1918), No. 10, p. 1200).— Analyses were made of 

 pineapple fruits, plants, soils, and organic manures used in fertilizing pine- 

 apple soils. The results indicate that the pineapple plant requires large quan- 

 tities of potash and nitrogen from organic sources. 



Assuming the average weight of fruit and plant to be 4 kg. (8.8 lbs.), the 

 amount of food removed from the soil per 1,000 plants was, nitrogen 8.1 kg., 

 phosphoric acid 0.S4 kg., potash 17.50 kg., and lime 2.68 kg. 



The detection and elimination of frosted fruit, E. M. Chace (Cal. Citrogr., 

 4 (1919), No. 5, pp. 108, 109, 11,.',. figs. 3).— The author describes the hosperidin 

 crystal and desiccation tests for detecting frosted oranges and the specific 

 gravity method of detecting and eliminating the frosted fruit. Data are given 

 on experimental tests of these methods conducted by F. E. Denny under the 

 direction of the Citrus By-products Laboratory of the U. S. Department of 

 Agriculture. Related investigations are briefly cited. 



The hesperidin crystal test is believed to be the most accurate method of 

 detecting frost injury. These crystals are found on the membrane between the 

 segments of the frosted orange, and also occur in the pulp if the injury is severe. 

 Fruit injured by excessive hot weather is said also to show this phenomenon. 

 The frosted orange generally shows a drying out of the pulp as well as the 



