142 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol 37 



Conversion of fern-land into grass, A. H. Cockayne {Jour. Agr. [New 

 Zeal], 12 {1916}, No. 6, pp. 421-439, figs. 9). — This article discusses in some 

 detail the suppression of the fern as a weed in New Zealand by the seeding of 

 fern land to pasture grasses. The following grass mixture is recommended : 

 Cocksfoot 8 lbs., Danthonia pilosa 5 lbs., Poa pratensis 3 lbs., Chewings fescue 5 

 lbs., crested dogstail 2 lbs., P. nemoralis 2 lbs., white clover 1 lb., and Lotus 

 angustissimus 0.5 lb., a total of 26.5 lbs., to which should be added a few pounds 

 of Italian rye grass for quick results. 



Goat's rue (Galega officinalis), A. H. Cockayne {Jour. Agr. [New Zeal.], 

 12 {1916), No. 2, pp. 125-180, fig. 1). — This is a botanical and popular de.scrip- 

 tion of goat's rue (G. officinalis), which has lately been added to the schedule of 

 " noxious " plants under the Noxious Weeds Act of New Zealand. Notes are 

 given on its cultural habits and methods of control. 



[Field crops], M. Hoffmann et al. {Jahrcsber. Landic, 29 {1914), pp. 72- 

 179). — German literature on the subject of field crops is classified and reviewed 

 in the usual manner. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Report of the horticultural division, J. E. Higcins {Uatvan Sta. Rpt. 1916, 

 pp. 13-21, pis. 2). — The horticultural work was continued largely along lines 

 previously noted (E. S. R.. 35, p. 538). 



With the view of securing improve<l commercial varieties of pineiipples for 

 Hawaii preliminary work in breeding and selection, both among cultivated 

 varieties and seedling forms, was started. The station is collecting varieties 

 grown in different parts of the world, and a number of local seedlings are also 

 being grown. Satisfactory methods, here described, have been devised for the 

 germination of pineapple seeds and the growing of the young seedlings beyond 

 the critical period. 



The cooperative experiments with the litchi were continued. Over 1,000 see<ls 

 were successfully shipped from Hawaii to Florida in slightly moi.«t sphagnum 

 moss, wrapped in waxed paper surroundetl by corrugated strawboard. The 

 water added to the moss equaled half the weight of the dry moss. A disease 

 of litchi leaves similar to the erinose dii^ease of the grape and which has been 

 named litchi erinose was under ob.servation and treatment. The injury is 

 caused by an undescribed Eriophyes species of mite and can be controlled by 

 spraying the trees .several times uith nicotin sulphate and whale-oil soap mixetl 

 at the rate of 10 oz. of nicotin sulphate and 1.75 lbs. of whale-oil soap to .50 gal. 

 of water. The treatment is more effective if the seriously damaged leaves are 

 removetl bofore spraying. The longan tree, a related species, was not infested 

 with this mite although surrounded by infested litchi trees. 



In the breeding work with avocados and mangos a number of apparent crosses 

 were .secure<l during the .season. The technique thus far developed in cross- 

 pollinating mangos is described. Breeding work with papayas was continued 

 with the view of securing a pure elongata strain as well as further data on the 

 determination of sex and the combining of desired characters. Seventy-two 

 supposed see<lling crosses of the Chinese wood oil nut {Aleuritcs fordii) and the 

 Hawaiian kukui nut {A. moluccana) are under observation. 



Notes are given on the condition of the station orchards and miscellaneous 

 plantings at the Tantalus suhstntion. 



[New fruit trees, ornamentals, and other plants], N. E. Hansen {South 

 Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1916, pp. 22-26). — This comprises brief descriptions of some 

 new trees and plants sent out by the station for trial in the spring of 1916. 

 The list includes the Ivan and Dolgo crab apples; Sereda. Aduo, and Hibkee 



