HOETICULTTJRE. 235 



The authors conclude in general that the results thus far secured warrant 

 a continuation of the study of the best hybrid direct bearers. 



Vine growing in Italy, S. Cettolini (Internat. Inst. Agr. [Roine'\, Mo. Bui. 

 Agr. Intel, and Plant Diseases, 6 (1915), No. 7, pp. 900-90S).—A statistical 

 review of viticultural conditions in Italy. 



Kaisin. making, F. T. Bioletti (California Sta. Rpt. 1915, p. 32). — In con- 

 firmation of observations previously reported by the author (E. S. R., 32, p. 

 235) data are given showing the increase in crop by allowing the raisin grapes to 

 come to a more advanced stage of ripeness before harvesting. Observations in 

 six Muscat vineyards near Fresno indicated a loss from too early picking of 

 from $12 to $22 per acre. The number of pounds of grapes required to make a 

 pound of raisins decreases with advancing ripeness. The station tests indicate 

 that 3.4 lbs. should be the minimum for Muscat and 3.8 lbs. for Sultanina grapes. 

 A favorable average is 3.2 for the former and 3.6 lbs. for the latter. Higher 

 ratios indicate insufficient ripeness or losses in handling. 



Temperature of irrigation water as affecting citrus seedlings, C. B. Lipman 

 (California Sta. Rpt. 1915, p. 17). — Experiments conducted by the author for 

 a number of years have shown marked effects of retardation of growth of citrus 

 seedlings which received water at temperatures of 39, 44, 50, and even 55° F. 

 The seedlings are stunted in growth and look sickly when they receive water 

 at the first two temperatures. The maximum growth is obtained with water 

 at about 72°. Water of higher temperature shows a slight stunting effect on the 

 orange seedlings which becomes very noticeable at 86°. 



Handling and shipping citrus fruits in the Gulf States, H. J. Ramsey 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 696 (1915), pp. 28, figs. 10).— A practical dis- 

 cussion of the subject, based upon the Department's extensive investigations 

 relative to the handling of Florida citrus fruits (E. S. R., 30, p. 841). It takes 

 up cau.ses of decay in transit ; prevention of losses due to decay ; v.'hat careful 

 handling means; harvesting, packing, and shipping operations; field handling; 

 packing-house handling ; methods of shipment ; refrigeration ; precooling ; and 

 cold storage. 



Maturity in oranges, J. E. Coit (California Sta. Rpt. 1915, p. 21). — A test 

 made by the author of the maturity standard of the U. S. Department of Agri- 

 culture of eight parts of total solid to one part of acid in oranges has sho^vn that 

 some districts which were supposed to produce early oranges do not bring them 

 so early to maturity. Furthermore, a variation was found in the total solids 

 to acid ratio of more than 100 per cent between individual oranges in a com- 

 mercial pack. Oranges on the outside of the tree matured earlier than those on 

 the inside. The juice from different parts of the same orange often varied as 

 much as 15 per cent, there being considerably more sugar obtained from the 

 juice near the navel than near the stem. Consequently it is recommended that a 

 large number of oranges, as well as the juice from both halves of each orange, be 

 included in the sample. 



Microcitrus, a nev/ genus of Australian citrus fruits, W. T. Swingle (Jour. 

 Wash. Acad. Sci., 5 (1915), No. 16, pp. 569-578, figs. 4)-— In continuation of 

 studies of the species of Citrus and related plants (E. S. R., 31, p. 237) the 

 author here proposes and describes another new genus of Australian citrus 

 fruits. 



Microcitrus comprises four species, all from eastern Australia, which have pre- 

 viously been described under Citrus. The species described include the finger 

 lime (Microcitrus anstralasica), Garroway's finger lime (M. garroxoayi), the 

 dooja or Australian round lime (M. australis), and the Russell River lime (M. 

 inodora). Since the two commonly cultivated species, the dooja and finger lime, 

 are decidedly more hardy than the lime or lemon, it is believed that they may 



