142 EXPERIMENT STATION KECOED. 



be planted on land which had grown a previous crop of strawberries for three 

 or four seasons. 



The author found tliut some deterioration does occur when a second crop of 

 strawberries is planted. The cause of this deterioration is thus far unknown, but 

 there is no evidence to show that this condition is due to a direct injurious effect 

 of the strawberry plant on the soil. He also found that it was a common prac- 

 tice not to cultivate the irrigation ditches between the rows of strawberries 

 and that this soil became packed and baked during irrigation periods, thus 

 preventing a proper supply of air to the soil. It is recommended that irriga- 

 tion be less frequent and that the ditches be cultivated deeply with a one-horse 

 cultivator between irrigation. Where one crop of strawberries is to follow 

 another, it is suggested that the land be plowed deeply in the fall and sowed 

 to bur clover or some other legume which will make a heavy winter growth, 

 this cover crop to be plowed under in the spring and the soil prepared for the 

 new planting. 



Vine pruning in California, II, F. T. Bioletti (Calif ornia Sta. Bill. 246 

 {1914), pp. 57-lOS, figs. 51). — In continuation of a previous bulletin discussing 

 the principles of pruning Vitis vinifera grapes (E. S. R., 30, p. 741) an account 

 is here given of the principal systems of pruning adapted to California con- 

 ditions. 



A description is first given of an ideal mature vine in full bearing. This is 

 followed by a discussion of methods of handling a young vine to make it ap- 

 proach as nearly as possible this ideal. An acPount is then given of the regular 

 pruning necessary to make the vine produce maximum crops to a respectable old 

 age, together with a discussion of the renovation of imperfect and misshaped 

 vines. The bulletin concludes with a discussion of the choice of system and 

 lists of varieties adapted for long, half long, and short pruning. 



Origin of the date palm, P. Popenoe {Jour. Heredity, 5 {1914), No. 11, pp. 

 lfiS-508, figs. 5). — Notes on the history of the date palm, including a reference 

 to Berry's discovery of fossil fruit and seed in Texas (E. S. R., 31, p. 142). 



Mate culture, C. D. Girola {El Cultivo del Mate. La Plata, Argentina, 1914, 

 pp. 21, figs. 3). — ^A discussion of yerba mate (Ilex paraguayensis) culture, with 

 special reference to methods of reproduction and propagation. 



Olive culture, W. J. Axlen {Dept. Agr. N. 8. Wales, Farmers' Bui. 82 {1914), 

 pp. 42,^ figs. 35). — A general treatise on olive culture, oil extraction, and olive 

 pickling, with si^ecial reference to the development of the industry in New 

 South Wales. 



Further notes on the seedless fruits of the common persimmon (Diospyros 

 virginiana), D. M. Mottieb {Proc. Ind. Acad. Set., 1912, pp. 67, 68). — This com- 

 prises a brief reference to the parthenocarijic nature of seedless fruits growing 

 on persimmon trees on the campus of Indiana University. See also a previous 

 note (E. S. R., 22, p. 340). 



Reference is also made to the successful ripening of i:)ersimmons by inclosing 

 fully-developed firm fruits in Mason jars and allowing them to remain in a 

 cool place in the basement for from ten days to two weeks. The lids of the 

 jars were screwed on without rubbers. The fruits when removed were soft, 

 juicy, and without a trace of astringeney. 



Vanilla culture in Madagascar, A. Fauch£:re {Bui. Econ. Gouvt. G4n. 

 Madagascar, 14 {1914), H, No. 2, pp. 122-126). — An account of vanilla culture 

 and the preparation of the beans for market in Madagascar. 



Recent experiments in shield budding tropical fruits at the Lamao Ex- 

 periment Station, P. J. Wester {PJiilippine Agr. Rev. [En.glish Ed.], 7 {1914), 

 No. 9, pp. 356-359, pis. 2). — The work here noted deals with the asexual 

 propagation of the durian {Durio ^ibcthinus), hevi {Spondias cythcrcw), caram- 



