338 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



(E. S. K., 20, p. 241) the iiutliors found that hi the Chasselas Doiv grape the 

 sugar content increases and the acid content decreases progressively from the 

 time of setting to the maturity of the berries. A similar investigation was con- 

 ducted with 6 varieties of pears, the results of which are here tabulated and 

 discussed. A portion of the fruit was bagged during the growing period and the 

 remainder grew iniprotected. 



The sugar content was found to increase without hiterrnption l)oth in the 

 bagged and unbagged fruit. The total sugar content of the pears grown in bags 

 is somewhat higher than those grown without protection, the excess amount- 

 ing in the case of the Passe-Crassane variety to 19 gm. per 1,000 parts of pulp. 

 The investigation appears to demonstrate the value of growing table pears in 

 paper bags to increase their sugar content. Bagging the fruit does not appear 

 either to hasten or retard maturity. The acidity was found to decrease both 

 with the bagged and unbagged fruit as the fruit approached maturity, although 

 the bagged fruit showed a higher acid content at maturity than the fruit grown 

 without protection. In all cases the density of the pears was found to decrease 

 progressively throughout the period of development, api>roaching the density of 

 water at maturity. The density a]ipears to diminish in proportion to the in- 

 crease in volume, and does not appear to differ materially in the bagged and 

 unbagged fruit. 



Manurial experiments with limes, R. H. A. A. Nicholls and F. Watts 

 {Proc. Agr. Soc. Trinidad and Tobago, S (1908), Xo. 2, pp. 73-76).— This is an 

 abstract of the authors' report on experimental plats in Dominica started in 

 190.3 to determine the fertilizer requirements of lime trees. There were 5 plats 

 included in the experiment, tlie control plat receiving no fertilizer. Tlie I'esults 

 thus far indicate that the use of nitrogen and i)otash together increases the 

 yield of fruit. The nse of nitrogen alone improved tlie foliage but did not 

 increase the yield. Xo conclusions have been deduced tlius far relative to the 

 use of phosphoric acid. 



It is recommended in a general way that where limes are to be manured both 

 nitrogen and potash, and probably phosphoric acid, should be employed and 

 that care should be taken to maintain the supply of humus in the soil either by 

 the use of pen manures or of green mulches. 



Cacao manurial plots [in Dominica] F. Watts {Proc. Agr. Soc. Trinidad 

 and Tobago, 8 (1908), No. 2, pp. 53-11). — A further report is given of the 

 fertilizer experiments which have been conducted at the Dominica Botanic 

 Station since 1900 (E. S. R., IS, p. 549), together with the results of fertilizer 

 experiments conducted in several country districts. 



As indicated by the yields for the past 5 years at the station, all of the ferti- 

 lized plats have produced greater yields than the plat receiving no fertilizer. 

 With phosphate and potash combined the annual yield of dry cured cacao was 

 increased by 219 lbs. per acre, with dried blood by 187 lbs., and with a complete 

 fertilizer consisting of phosphate, potash, and dried blood by 374 lbs. The 

 mulched plat showed the greatest gain, with an increased yield of 402 lbs., and 

 was also in the lead relative to the general health and growth of the trees and 

 the soil texture. This plat is well covered by trees planted at the rate of 108 

 per acre, whereas the plat receiving no fertilizer required 178 trees per acre. 

 The complete fertilizer plat was next in general health and condition as well 

 as in yield. The results of the experiments in the country districts show the 

 value of the phosphatic and nitrogenous fertilizers, but there appears to be 

 little need of potash. 



As a general result of these experiments planters are recommended to manure 

 their cacao trees, giving preference to organic manures such <ms pen manure 

 and liberal mulchings. Where these can not be obtained the use of fertilizers 



