442 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



sented showing the use. relative importance, and season of edible maturity 

 suitable to growing in the Middle Atlantic States. 



Pheuological records compiled from data secured from a large number of 

 cooperative observers are given for several of the important varieties. The 

 data for each variety show the State, approximate latitude, elevation, slope, 

 soil, and year in which the observation was made, age of tree, and the fol- 

 lowing dates: First bloom, full bloom, last spring frost, opening of leaf buds, 

 forming of terminal buds, first picking, first fall frost, when fit for use, and 

 keeping period. 



Although much of the information is only directly applicable to the region 

 studied, it is believed that the discussion will prove of value to growers of 

 summer apples generally. 



[Orchard investigations in Nevada], P. B. Kennedy {Nevada Sta. Bui. 12. 

 pp. 19, 20, pi. 1). — The blooming dates for 1909 are given of the various varieties 

 of apples growing in the station orchard. As with all other low-lying orchards 

 in the State the blossoms were destroyed by killing frosts on May 11. Only 

 a single variety, Rome Beauty, produced a few apples from blossoms coming 

 out after the above date. 



The influence of the leaves which immediately accompany the fruits of 

 pears on the increase in weight and chemical composition of the fruit, G. 

 RivifeRE and G. Bailhache {Jour. 8oc. Nat. Hort. France, 4. .scr., ii {1910), 

 Nov., pp. 678-6S0). — A study similar to that previously reported for the Chas- 

 selas Dore grape (E. S. R., 21, p. 140) was made with pears of the variety 

 Directeur Hardy to determine what influence the leaves accompanying the 

 fruit on the spur have on the weight and chemical composition of the fruit. 

 Twenty-four fruit spurs were selected for the experiment, one fruit being left 

 on each spur. Twelve of the spurs were defoliated in the spring and on the 

 other 12 the leaves were allowed to grow but no further fruit buds were 

 allowed to develop. 



The data secured show that the average weight of pears from the defoliated 

 spur was 105.4 gm. as compared with an average weight of 130 gm. where the 

 leaves were allowed to grow. The sugar content and density of the fruit 

 from the defoliated spurs was slightly decreased and the acid content slightly 

 higher. 



Fig culture in the vicinity of Mistretta, F. Portale {Bol. Arhor. Ital., 6 

 (1910), No. 2-4, pp. 49-101, figs. 5). — A monographic study of the fig relative 

 to its biology, culture, harvesting, preparation for market, and commerce, with 

 special reference to the improvement and extension of the industry in the 

 region of jNIistretta. A bibliography of the works consulted is appended. 



Drought resistance of the olive in the Southwestern States, S. 0. Mason 

 {TJ. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Bui. 192, pp. 60, pis. 6, figs. 20).— The 

 author gives an account of a number of plantations of olives which had been 

 previously made along with plantings of apricots, figs, grapes, and some other 

 fruits in the more arid parts of Arizona and California and wliere through 

 failure of the irrigation systems the trees were thrown on their own resources. 

 The behavior of these abandoned plantations is studied in connection with 

 examples of successful dry-land olive culture in California, as well as in the 

 light of the dry-land olive culture in Tunis, as described by T. H. Kearney in a 

 previous bulletin of the Bureau of Plant Industry (E. S. R., 20, p. 42). The 

 adaptation of olive root systems to limited rainfall and of leaf and stem 

 structure to moisture economy is discussed, together with the area of possible 

 dry-land olive culture in the United States as limited by the minimum tem- 

 perature, heat requirements, and rainfall. A description of the anatomy of 

 olive roots, leaves, and stems, prepared by T. Holm, is appended. 



