1920] HORTICULTURE. 745 



Crop failures have been traced to three very general causes acting together or 

 separately. These are unfavorable weather at the blossoming season, brown 

 rot in seasons of rainy weather during the blossoming season, and lack of vigor 

 in the trees due to improper cultural practices. 



The value of the different roots as stocks, W. L. Howard (Better Fruit, IJf 

 {1920), No. 10, pp. 19, 20). — A contribution from the California Deciduous Fruit 

 Station briefly discussing the value of different roots as stocks for prunes and 

 pears. 



Kxperiniental fields in calcareous soil, A. Tacussel and K. Zacharkwkz 

 (Rev. Vitir., 52 {1920}, Xo. 1350, pp. 333-335). — A summary of the results 

 secured during a period of 28 years in testing varieties of grapes .suitable for 

 soils high in lime content, including lists of varieties that have done well, those 

 that have made vigorous growth, and those that have made very vigorous 

 growth. 



The hybrid direct bearers in the valley of the Drome in 1919, A. Des- 

 Mori.iNS and V. Villaud {Prog. Ayr. et Vitic. (Ed. VEst-Ceutrey, 72 (1920), 

 Nos. 29, pp. 61-65; 30, pp. 83-S5 ; 31, pp. 11J,-116; 32, pp. 133-137).— In continua- 

 tion of previous data (E. S. II., 40, p. 838) observations are given for the 

 twentieth year relative to the behavior of a large number of hybrid direct- 

 bearing grapes, with reference to their resistance to disease, adaptation to 

 various soil conditions, ])roduction, etc. 



The cultivation of the areca palm in Mysore, L. C. Coleman and M. K. 

 Venkata (Dept. Agr. Mysore, Gen. Scr. Bui. 10 (1918), pp. \_3]-{-S2, pis. 7, 

 fig. 1). — A detailed account is given of the culture, harvesting, and preparation 

 of areca nuts for the market, including information relative to the diseases and 

 pests of the areca nut and the economic uses of the various parts of the areca 

 palm. Suggestions are also given relative to measures for imiiroving the 

 industry. 



Date processing and marketing, A. E. Vinson (Arizona Sta. Rpt. 1918, pp. 

 S//S, 3Jf9). — Based on the results of tlie station's date investigations during the 

 past 13 years, the author concludes that tlie date industry in Arizona, properly 

 managed, can be recommended to the investing public. The station has proved 

 at least some of the varieties that are successful in Arizona, and climatic diffi- 

 culties have been overcome to the extent that losses due to this cause are 

 almost negligible. A market lias been made that will take the output of a large 

 acreage at profitable prices. Fresh soft dates, such as Hayany, Khars, Tadala. 

 and similar varieties, promise to become a staple food as soon as they can be 

 supplied in quantities and may be carried for months in dry cold storage without 

 serious deterioration in quality. Culls and stock that may not be fit for the 

 fresh date ti'ade can be processed quickly for ordinary commercial dry <lates. 



The cultivation of oranges and allied fruits in the Bombay Presidency, 

 H. P. Paran.jpe {Dept. Agr. Bombay Bui. 95 (1919). pp. [//]+2.?).— This bulle- 

 tin describes the methods of growing citrus trees that have been found to yield 

 the best results in the P.ombay Presidency. 



Notes on the production and quality of local teas, G. G. Auchinleck 

 (^fauritiu8 Dept. Agr., Gen. Ser., Bui. 13 (1918). [English Ed.], pp. 75).— This 

 bulletin contains notes on the production of tea in Mauritius, together with the 

 analyses of a number of local teas and some observations on the processes con- 

 cerned in tea manufacture. 



The cultivation of yerba mate, C. D. Girola (Pub. Afus. Agr. [Soc. Rural 

 Argentina], No. 1/, (1919). pp. 30, figs, i^).— This publication di.scus.ses the 

 gathering of the leaves and shoots, the yield of material either green, cured, 

 or ground, the cost of establishing plantations, and the cost of production and 

 farm value of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in Argentina. 



