HORTICULTURE. 841 



Grafting- Vinifera vineyards, F. T. Bioletti (California Sta. Circ. 115 {191^), 

 pp. 8, figs. 2). — In the present circular the author discusses the grafting of 

 Vinifera varieties of grapes on other varieties of the same species in distinction 

 to the grafting of Vinifera varieties on American or phylloxera resistant stocks. 

 Consideration is given to the choice and conservation of the scions, season of 

 grafting, preparation of stock and scions, necessary tools, method of operation, 

 and after treatment of grafted vines. 



[Banana investigations at the Hilo substation], F. A. Clowes (Ilaicaii 

 Sta. Rpt. 1913, pp. 50, 51). — At the beginning of the year the cooperative sta- 

 tion at Ililo was taken over as a substation and all exiierimental work discon- 

 tinued except the banana experiment. This experiment was planned to study 

 the influence of planting bananas at various distances apart The distances 

 used were 8 by 8, 10 by 10, 12 by 12, and 15 by 15 ft. Data secured on the first 

 crop show that the yield increases as the planting distance decreases. It has 

 been suggested, however, that the results of future crops may alter the standing 

 of the various plats. 



Factors governing the successful shipment of oranges from Florida, A. V. 

 Stubenrauch, II. J. Ramsey, I>. S. Tenny, et al. {U. aS. Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 63 

 {1914), PP- 50, pl-^. 15, figs. 26). — This comprises a report on harvesting, han- 

 dling, and shipping experiments started during the season of 1907 and continued 

 on a commercial scale through 5 shipping years. The work which was plannetl 

 along lines similar to those followed in the California investigations (E. S. 11., 

 20, p. 43) included the determination of the character and type of handling em- 

 ployed in the various operations of preparing fruit for shipment and the dis- 

 covery of the relationship between i)revailing methods and the occurrence of 

 decay. The object of the work was to suggest changes in the industry which 

 should reduce the innnense annual financial loss of the Florida growers by en- 

 abling them to market their fruit in sound condition. The methods of handling 

 the orange crop previous to the investigation, as well as the imi)rovements which 

 have been made during the course of the investigation, are described. The 

 results of the various experiments are reported in detail and recommendations 

 are made relative to handling the crop in order to secure the minimum of me- 

 chanical injuries. 



The experiments during the past 7 years have proved conclusively, as in the 

 California investigations, that the condition of the fruit after arrival at market 

 depends largely upon the character of the work done in the grove and the pack- 

 ing house, that it is possible so to conduct the operations of picking, packing, 

 and shipping as to inflict a minimum of mechanical injuries, and that uninjured 

 Florida oranges can be placed on the market in practically sound condition. 

 Even in seasons of very high decay practically all loss from blue mold decay 

 such as has occurred in the past can be eliminated. In addition to the losses 

 from blue mold, however, there has been considerable deterioration of Florida 

 citrus fruits after arrival in market due to the attacks of the stem-end decay 

 fungus. Unlike blue mold this fungus does not apparently depend upon injuries 

 or breaks in the skin through which to gain entrance to the tissues of the fruit. 

 An investigation during the season of 1910-11 in cooperation with the Florida 

 Experiment Station proved conclusively that the stem-end rot disease can not 

 be controlled by means of careful handling. The results of this investigation 

 have been previously noted (E. S. R., 2G, p. 440). 



The papaya in Hawaii, J. E. Hiogins and V. S. Holt {Ilawaii Sta. Bui. 32 

 {1914), PP- U' P?*'- iO). — This bulletin comprises as a whole a progress report on 

 the station's papaya cultural and breeding investigations (E. S. R., 29, p. 234) 

 including a review of related literature of the subject. 



