HORTICULTURE. 439 



The fivo priiR'ipiil ai'i'Ics in ihv I'uiled States appa really are tiie lialdwiii, 

 with a relative production of 13.4 per cent of a normal apple crop; Ben Davis, 

 13.3 per cent; Northern Spy, 6.1 per cent; Winesap, 5.1 i)er cent; and Rhode 

 Island Greening, 4.7 per cent. 



Improvement of citrus fruits by bud selection, A. D. Siiamkl (Cul. Cult., 

 .',.] {WL'i), Xos. ,.'„^ pp. 51(!-'>1S; 2Jf, pp. 580, 5S1).—A popular resume of the 

 aiidior'.s invest l.i;a lions (K. S. R., 28, p. 541). 



An inspection of (he average performance records for the seasons 1911 to 1914, 

 inclusive, from the ten best producing and ten lowest producing standard Wash- 

 ington navel trees, located in one of the best navel orange groves in California, 

 shows that the best trees have produced an average of 25.2 per cent more of the 

 most valuable sizes than the poorest trees of the standard type. The best trees 

 produced at the rate of $54(121 and the poorest at the rate of $128.44 per acre. 

 Some success has been attained in rei)lacing the poor Individuals with a heredi- 

 tary tendency to produce few and. poor fruits with toj)S that produced the larger 

 yield of better coiiuuercial grades and sizes of fruits. 



Improvement of fruits by bud selection, L. B. Scott {Cal. Cult., J/Jf {.VJ15), 

 Nos, 2, pp. 35-37; S, pp. 68-71, fig. 1). — ^^\. popular account of the above noted 

 work of Shamel's in the improvement of citrus fruits, including also a brief 

 resume of similar work being conducted by the same investigator with decidu- 

 ous fruits. 



Cold storage for tropical fruits, E. V. Wilcox and C. J. IIunn (Ilaicail St a. 

 I'rcss Bui. Jf7 {IDlJf), pp. 12). — In the experiments here reported a study was 

 made of the effect of cold storage on star apple {Chri/sophi/Uuiiv cdinito), 

 avocado, Qg, papaya, water lemon {Passiflora laurifolia), strawberry guava, 

 pineapple, and mango. Determinations were also made relative to the degree 

 of refrigeration and length of time required to kill the Mediterranean fruit 

 lly in various tropical fruits (see p. 451). Commercial refrigerator rooms main- 

 la iiied at average temperatures of 32, 36, and 45° F. were used. In the 32" 

 room the temperature ranged from 30 to 33° ; in the 36° room from 33 to 38° ; 

 and in the 45° room from 40 to 47°. 



From these tests the conclusion is drawn that star apples intended for cold 

 storage should be picked in a half ripe condition, cured in a well-ventilated 

 room for about two days, and then held at 32° for not longer than three weeks. 

 A discoloration and fermentation of the pulp begins sooner in fruit infested 

 with fruit fly than in uninfested fruit. 



Figs, even when picked in a ripe condition, seem to bo adapted to cold storage 

 at 32° for about one month. The flavor is unimpaired and the pulp is firmer 

 and more attractive in appearance than in freshly picked fruit. 



Papayas proved not well adapted to cold storage on account of the rapid 

 development of molds in the dry papaine or juice of the papaya which exudes 

 from the minute skin punctures that are generally present. When nearly ripe 

 fruits were carefully washed in a 3 per cent solution of formalin and tlien 

 thoroughly dried and placed in paper bags before going to cold storage they 

 kept well for from 40 to 45 days, both at 32 and 36°. 



Water lemons taken from a regular shipment of fruit to the territorial 

 market kept in perfect condition at both 32 and 36° for a period of three 

 months and held their flavor and physical appearance for four days after 

 removal from refrigeration. Strawberry guavas were not well adapted to 

 cold storage. Mildew developed abundantly on the rind and only a few of the 

 fruits kept their normal flavor and appearance more than two weeks. 



The appearance of mangoes stored when green at 32° remained normal in 

 every way for the first month. Subsequent changes consisted in a shriveling of 

 the skin which injured the appearance of the fruit. The pulp, however, re- 

 84079°— No. 5—15 A 



