642 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



decisive enough to show the value of such treatment as a means of improving 

 the soil texture and fixing nitrogen. Of two plants previously recommended 

 as green manure crops Dhaincha (Sesbania cannabina), and nati-kalai (Phase- 

 olus mungo) the former plant is said to grow vigorously in many soils in 

 which the latter makes a very poor crop. At the station the plat on which 

 arahar has been grown for 3 consecutive seasons has shown the most im- 

 provement. 



The pruning experiments were designed largely to obtain information as to 

 the best methods of light pruning old tea. Cleaning out the bushes, both at 

 the sides and center, including the removal of all weak laterals, appears to^ 

 be the best means of keeping up the yield of the bushes and of rendering them 

 less liable to such diseases as red rust and thread blight. 



The Heeleaka Experimental Station report on investigations during 1908, 

 G. D. Hope {Indian Tea Assoc. [Pamphlet] -'/, 1909, pp. 22, pis. 8). — A progress 

 report for the year 190S on the experiments above noted. 



At the beginuing of 1908 the manurial plats on which mustard oil cake, 

 castor-bean meal, and cattle manure had been used for 3 years were left unfer- 

 tilized to study the residual effects of these manures. The mustard oil cake 

 showed the best results and the cattle manure the poorest, although the gen- 

 eral tendency for all the plats is toward improvement as indicated by the 

 returns from the check plat. The residual effects of the commercial fertilizers 

 do not appear to be so lasting. 



Influence of drying on the quality of tea, H. L. Welter (Bui. Dept. Agi\ 

 ImJes Xeerland., J910, Xo. 37, pp. 2-'/). — The author conducted some initial ex- 

 periments to determine the influence of the water content in manufactured tea 

 on its quality. 



The general conclusion reached is that a water content either too high or 

 too low affects the quality unfavorably. At the completion of the drying 

 process tea should contain at least from 3.5 to 4 per cent of water and pref- 

 erably from 6 to 7 per cent, allowing for a subsequent reabsorption of water 

 from the air of from 1 to 1.5 per cent. The firing process should be conductetl 

 as rapidly as possible and the product cooled down immediately. Tea should 

 not contain more than 9 per cent of water after being fired and cooled down. 

 The importance of carrying on similar investigations on a more extended scale 

 is pointed out. 



Sweet peas, H. J. Wright [London, [1910], pp. 116, pis. 8). — A popular work 

 on sweet pea culture, discussing also the history and classification of sweet 

 peas, making new varieties, growing sweet peas for various purposes, and 

 enemies and diseases. 



A list is given of 50 standard varieties, together with a brief bibliography of 

 sweet peas, and a chapter by T. Stevenson on the culture of these flowers for 

 exhibition purposes. 



Pansies, violas and violets, W. Cuthbertson {London [1910], pp. XI+116, 

 pis. 8, figs. 5). — A popular work, the successive chapters of which discuss the 

 history and development of the pansy, the history of violas, propagation from 

 seed and cuttings, cultivation of choice flowers for exhibition and other pur- 

 poses, and varieties. 



The work concludes with a calendar of operations. 



The book of the rose, A. Foster-Melliar {London, 1910, J,, ed., pp. XXXV I + 

 856, pis. .75, figs. 6). — The present edition of this work, which first appeared in 

 1894, has been brought up to date. The successive chapters deal with history 

 and classification, situation and soil, planning and planting, manures, pruning, 

 stocks, propagation, pests, I'oses under glass, exhibiting, manners and customs, 

 selections, and calendar of operations. 



