HORTICULTURE. 839 



here reported were conducted in the vineyard of the Royal Enological School of 

 Conegliano in 1907 and 1908. 



The results indicate that sulphate of manganese tends to increase the yield 

 of grapes considerably. It also reduces the sugar content and increases the 

 alcohol content of the must to a certain extent. Contrary to the lesults secured 

 with sulphate of iron (E. S. R., 22, p. 448) the increased amount of manganese 

 in the wine was greater when the pulps were fermented along with the skins 

 than when the pulps were fermented alone. Manganese also appears to exert 

 an influence on the color and odor of the wine. 



Influence of spray mixtures on the germination of grape pollen, E. Garino- 

 Canina (Ann. Sci. Agron., 4. ser., 2 {1913), II, No. 2, pp. 113-130, figs. 10).— In 

 a study conducted at the Viticultural Research Station, Paris, all spray mix- 

 tures commonly applied to grapes during the flowering season wore tested with 

 special reference to their influence on pollen germination. The sprayed pollen 

 was germinated in a medium containing 15 per cent saccharose and 1.5 per cent 

 gelatin, slightly acidulated with sulphuric acid. The results of these tests are 

 here presented in tabular form and discussed. 



All of the mixtures tested were found to have a more or less toxic action on 

 the pollen. In case of ammoniacal copper carbonate solution and copper sul- 

 phate solution this action was not evident unless concentrates of over 0.05 per 

 cent were used. The copper and other heavy metals appear to kill the proto- 

 plasm of the pollen grain. The application of sulphur during the flowering 

 period is commonly believed to stimulate fertilization. In their experiments 

 in Aitro, however, the authors found that sulphur retarded germination. This 

 is attributed to the formation of sulphuric acid or of oxalic acid, which was 

 found in the tests to be toxic to the grapes. The toxic effect of sulphur is to 

 be studied further and tests are also to be made relative to the influence of 

 various treatments on the ovaries of the flowers. 



The effect of humidity and cold upon grapes, E. Zacharewicz (Rev. Vit., 

 39 (Id 13), No. 1012, p. 672).— Cold weather, April 13 to 15. is said to have 

 reduced materially both the quantity and quality of the grape crop for 1913. 



Varieties of plantains and bananas cultivated in Seychelles, P. R. Dupont 

 (Roy. Bot. Gard. Kew, Bui. Misc. Inform., 1913, No. 6, pp. 229-231).— Some 15 

 varieties of plantains and bananas which are cultivated in the Seychelles are 

 here described. 



The bureau of agriculture banana collection, O. W. Barrett (Philippine 

 Agr. Rev. [English Ed.], 6 (1913), No. 9, pp. Jf33-}f39, pis. 3).— The author here 

 lists some 276 varieties of bananas and plantains, together with 22 supposedly 

 distinct species of Musa which are to be tested with reference to their identity 

 and adaptability to Philippine conditions. 



New citrus fruits, W. T. Swingle (Amer. Breeders Mag., ^ (1913), No. 2, pp. 

 83-95, figs. 18). — A paper on this subject read before the American Breeders 

 Association at Colambla. S. C, January, 1913, in which the author reviews his 

 work in the production of the citrange, tangelo, and limquat, and discusses the 

 possibility of making selections from these variable fruits which will serve as 

 cold-resistant substitutes for the lemon and lime. Attention is also called to 

 a number of wild relatives of our citrus fruits which may prove desirable for 

 lireeding purposes. 



Citrus ichangensis, a promising, hardy, new species from southwestern 

 China and Assam, W. T. Swingle (U. S. Dept. Agr., Jour. Agr. Research, J 

 (1913), No. 1, pp. I-I4, pi. 1, figs. 7). — The species of Citrus here described in 

 detail, including previous notices, is, so far as is known, native farther north 



23666°— No. 9—14 1 



