i 



HORTICULTURE. 345 



Factors governing the successful storage of California table grapes, A. V. 

 Stubenrauch and C. W. Mann (U. 8. Dept. Agr. BuL 35, pp. 31, pis. 8, figs. 7). — 

 This bulletin summarizes the table grapes storage investigations which have 

 been conducted during the seasons 1906 to 1912, inclusive, special attention 

 being given to the successful packing, storing, and marketing tests during the 

 seasons of 1911-12 and 1912-13. 



Tbe commercial demonstrations during tlio two seasons, as well as the 

 records of the Department's investigations during the whole period, show that 

 the method of packing California table grapes with a lillcr of redwood sawdust 

 and of holding them in cold storage for the holiday market is destined to form 

 one of the successful practices of the grape industry of the State. Inasmuch 

 as the holiday crop must compete with Spanish grapes, only fruit of the best 

 quality should be handled in this way, those varieties which have open bunches 

 being the most suitable for packing in redwood sawdust. The drum barrel 

 has been found to be the most satisfactory package for grapes packed in 

 redwood sawdust. The sawdust should be pure and unmixed with other woods 

 and enough filling material should be used to prevent settling. The fruit 

 should be cooled over night in the vineyard or precooled before the packages 

 are loaded into the cars. It should be shipped under refrigeration and placed 

 in cold storage at 32° F. immediately upon reaching its destination. 



Under conditions of careful handling, packing, and storing Emperor grapes 

 may be held in cold storage until about January 10; the Malaga variety until 

 December 15; and the Muscat until November 15. When Almeria grapes can 

 be grown successfully in California for commercial purposes they may be held 

 in cold storage until about April 1. 



The banana, R. U. Uribe (Rev. Indus, y Agr, Tucumdn, 3 {1912), Nos. 1, pp. 

 37-4h- 2, pp. 71-89; 3, pp. 133-135; It, pp. 161-181; 5, pp. 209-227; 6, pp. 

 261-273). — A paper on the banana presented before the Agricultural Society of 

 Colombia in which the author discusses the history, distribution, botany, uses, 

 and commerce of the banana, including data on the cost of establishing planta- 

 tions and the returns w^hich may be expected. 



The banana, R. de Castro (Bol. 2Iui. Agr., Indus, e Com. [Brazil], 2 {1913), 

 iYo. .'/, pp. 127-1 JfO). — An account of the banana with reference to its botany, 

 origin, species and varieties, climatic and soil requirements, uses, commerce, 

 ;md Brazilian exports. 



Spraying walnut trees for blight and aphis control, R. E. Smith, T. F. 

 Hunt, and W. H. Nixon {California 8ta. Circ. 107, pp. 8). — In some earlier ex- 

 periments conducted by the station (E. S. R., 2S, p. 349) it was found imprac- 

 tical to spray large walnut trees for the control of blight on account of the 

 time and expense required by ordinary spray methods. In the experiments 

 here described a considerable acreage of large walnut trees was sprayed, 

 various methods and mixtures being used. It was found that the problem of 

 spraying such large trees quickly and economically was met by the use of 

 high-power sprayers and a special nozzle, previously noted (E. S. R., 2G, p. 49), 

 making it possible to cover the largest trees completely from the ground. The 

 amount of material required for spraying good-sized trees thoroughly averaged 

 from 30 to 50 gal. per tree and the average total cost of spraying per tree 

 was about 55 cts. 



The results of the spraying upon walnut blight were difficult to establish 

 on account of the slight occurrence of the disease in the sprayed districts 

 during the season. Well-sprayed trees remained comparatively free of aphis 

 long after the insect had become abundant on unsprayed trees, and the im- 

 proved condition, as well ad the increased growth of the trees, nuts, and 

 foliage, seemed to justify the cost of spraying, notwithstanding the fact that 



