440 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



the application of gentle warmth greatly shortens the time required for perfect 

 ripening. By combining these methods Rhars dates removed green from the 

 tree were marketed in less than 48 hours. 



In the case of Rhars and many of the best varieties for the region, arti- 

 ficial methods of ripening are used with best success in ripening the remain- 

 ing green fruit after most of the fruit has ripened naturally. Immature green 

 fruit must be dried somewhat to insure reasonable keeping qualities. Dates 

 ripened artificially at the end of a prolonged dry period keep better than 

 those ripened after a rainy period. When partially ripened Rhars dates are 

 caught by wet weather and sour, they may be separated from the good dates 

 by shaking the bunches. 



In so far as the varieties adapted climatically to Salt River Valley were 

 concerned, artificial ripening was of secondary importance. The real drawback 

 to the immediate success of the fresh date industry was the insects which in- 

 fest the date in the orchard and the poor keeping quality of many varieties. A 

 preliminary experiment in pasteurizing dates indicates that a temperature of 65 

 to 70° C. maintained for 2 or 3 hours may be effective in destroying insects and 

 their eggs without seriously impairing the natural flavor of the fruit. Dates 

 treated in this manner were free from insects and showed excellent keeping 

 qualities. Work will be continued along this line. 



As a result of the investigations to date, it appears from an economic stand- 

 point that the date industry in Arizona can hardly compete -with the dried date 

 industry in the Old World and should be largely confined to the production of 

 Jresh dates for which there is a ready demand. It is not considered likely that 

 fresh dates will stand ocean transportation since they mold soon in cold 

 storage. 



Of the trees in the Tempe orchard, the most numerous are Rhars, Birkets, 

 and Deglet Noors. Of these Birket el Haggi thus far gives the most promise 

 for the fresh date industry in the Salt River Valley, although a number of other 

 varieties here noted are considered worthy of trial. 



The rapid curing of lemons, W. Snodgrass {Ctiha Mag., Jf (1913), No. 11, 

 pp. 512-51'i). — The process here described consists in submitting the lemons to 

 alcohol fumes in a closed room for a period of from 2 to 2i days, after which 

 time the lemons continue coloring without more alcohol. This method, as 

 tried out by the author and C. D. Abbey last year, is said to have given satis- 

 factory results. 



The California lemon industry, G. H. Powell and F. O. Wallschlaeger 

 (Citrus Protect. League Cal. Bui. 9, 1913, pp. 59). — This comprises the results 

 of a detailed survey of the California lemon industry conducted under the direc- 

 tion of the Citrus Protective League of California. Statistics are given relative 

 to the development and present status of the industry, including cost data on 

 practically every phase of production, handling, and marketing, together with 

 comparative data showing the respective positions of the Italian lemon industry 

 (E. S. R., 28, p. 437) and the California lemon industry in supplying the 

 American trade. 



Note on the tea box industry in Assam, R. S. Pearson (Indian Forest Rec., 

 5 (1913), No. 1, pp. Ill +33, pi. 1). — A descriptive account of the tea box industry 

 in Assam, the successive chapters of which discuss the supply of timber and tea 

 boxes in Assam, conversion of timber into tea shooks, advantages and disadvan- 

 tages under which the local tea box trade is maintained, resume of experiments 

 in hand to reduce the liability of tea box timbei's to deterioration and insect 

 attacks, and proposals made with a view of fostering the local tea box industry. 

 Plant introduction and acclimatization, J. J. Thornber (Arizona 8ta. Rpt. 

 1912, pp. 675-677). — Notes are given on the following ornamentals which are 



