740 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOKD. 



of the AngoulC'me pear witti pollen of the Josephine of Malines pear. Although 

 the immediate fruit resembled the male parent in size and shape, it resembled 

 the female parent in both color and flavor. This phenomenon is attributed to 

 xenia. 



A new graft hybrid, L. Daniel {Compt. Rend. Acad. Sci. [Paris], 151 {WIS), 

 No. 21, pp. 995-997). — In the graft hybrid here described, which was observed 

 at the base of an old pear tree grafted on quince stock, shoots possessing char- 

 acters more or less intermediate between the pear and quince were found to 

 have developed on a quince root. These shoots w^ere located about 5 or 6 cm. 

 bej-ond the root cushion and about the same distance aw^ay from the trunk of 

 the stock. 



Imported varieties of the avocado for California, K. A. Ryerson (Pomona 

 Col. Jour. Econ. Bot., 3 (1913), No. 1, pp. m-Ji39, figs. 17).— The author here 

 presents a list of imported varieties of avocados now being tried out in Cali- 

 fornia. Wherever possible a complete pomological description of the variety 

 is also given. 



A list of avocados originating in California has previously been noted (E. S. 

 R., 29, p. S3S). 



The chemical composition of Florida oranges from October 1, 1912, to 

 January 31, 1913, A. M. Heney (Fla. Quart. Bui. Dept. Agr., 24 (19W, No. 1, 

 pp. 155-204, pis. 2). — The author here reports an investigation conducted in order 

 to obtain data upon which to base a standard for ripe or mature oranges, such 

 standard to be used in carrying out the provisions of the Florida immature 

 citrus fruit law, the text of which is given. 



In this study analyses w^ere made of 259 samples of oranges taken from 17 

 localities in the State. From the data secured and here presented the author 

 concludes that a standard of 1.25 per cent of total acid, determined as crystal- 

 lized citric acid, is scientifically accurate, fair, and just to the producer and 

 consumer alike, and of the greatest ease of practical application to the orange 

 industry. The application of this standard is recommended and directions are 

 given for conducting both field and laboratory tests. 



Planting- persimmons, H. H. Hume (Jour. Hereditu, 5 (1914), No. 3, pp. 

 131-138, figs. 4). — The author's investigations have shown that wath very few 

 exceptions the varieties of the Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) require 

 pollenizers and that where pollenizers are planted in the orchards fertiliza- 

 tion takes place readily by means of insects. On the other hand, it has been 

 difficult to secure satisfactory pollenizers since in the varieties observed there 

 is a tendency for staminate flow^ers to appear only at irregular intervals. The 

 evidence at hand thus far shows that staminate flowers of D. virginiana will 

 not fertilize the flowers of D. kaki. One tree of D. kaki growing at Eagle 

 Lake, Fla., has been found to be constantly staminate. This variety has been 

 named Gailey and is recommended as a general poUenizer for the Japanese 

 varieties. 



A planting plan is submitted which provides for 1 staminate tree to about 7 

 or 8 pistillate trees. It is pointed out that this proportion of staminate trees 

 may be greatly reduced in the light of further observations. 



Such seedless varieties as the Tanenashi and the Tamopan appear to set 

 fruit well without pollination, the ovules of the former variety at least being 

 largely sterile. 



A preliminary note on the genetics of Fragaria, C. W. Richardson (Jour. 

 Genetics, 3 (1914), No. 3, pp. 111-111, pi. 1, figs. 4).— This comprises a brief 

 progress report on some crossing experiments with straw^berries which were 

 started In 1910. 



