HORTICULTURE. 679 



it seems that the check then given ciinses the setting to be more satisfactory. 

 Weakly vine-s should not be ringed in any case. This process should be reserved for 

 only the more vigorous vines. 



Specific variations of grapes, A. Jurie {Rer. Vit., 20 {1903), No. 520, pp. G47- 

 652,fi(j!<. 9). — An account is given of a number of specific variations in the normal 

 product obtained by grafting grapes. Illustrations are given of several of the more 

 striking results oljtained, showing reciprocal action between stock and scion. The 

 author states as a result of his investigations that the graft is a more certain and more 

 powerful means of hybridization than sexual hybridization, and that, as with herba- 

 ceous plants, it may be carried out with a perfectly definite end in view. 



On the variations in grafted vines, L. Ravaz {Prog. Agr. et Vit. {Ed. L'Est), 

 24 {1903), Xo. 51, })p. 743-750, fig.^. <v). — A controversial article in which variations in 

 vines alleged to be due to grafting are considered by the author to be due to ordinary 

 causes of variation. ' 



Morphological variations in the leaves of grapes as a result of grafting, 

 A. Ji-RiE {Prog. Agr. d Vit. {Ed. U Est), 24 {1903), No. 52, pp. 764-767, figs. 3).— 

 An illustrated account is given of observations along this line. 



Direct producers and fruitfulness, J. M. Guillon {Rev. Vit, 20 {1903), No. 

 521, pp. 671-675). — This is an account of the yields of a number of varieties of direct 

 producers on different soils. In some cases analyses of the product as regards 

 alcohol and acid contents are given. Very unsatisfactory results have been reported 

 with direct producers on chalky soils; in one locality on such soils they w'ere gradu- 

 ally destroyed by phylloxera. In another instance on deep clay soils they gave very 

 poor results. 



In a third case on the low, rich 2)lains in the neighborhood of Cognac, where the 

 vineyards are submerged during a portion of the winter, thus protecting them in 

 part from the attacks of the phylloxera, better results were obtained. In this case 

 the soil contained about 25 per cent of lime with considerable clay. The test was 

 made in a very exposed situation with pure vinifera sorts in comparison with direct 

 producers. Late frost killed the growing shoots of the vinifera vines so that not a 

 single berry was produced. The direct producers, however, made a fairly good crop 

 from which an excellent grade of wine was made. One of the noticeable features 

 of the direct producers under observation was their tendency to produce fruit from 

 the base of the vine to the extremities. Analyses are given of several samples of the 

 grapes from direct producers, with reference to alcohol, acidity, must, skin, seeds, etc. 



Improvements in methods of bench, grafting, E. H. Twight {Pacific Fruit 

 World, 17 {1904), No. 15, p. 11). — Good results in the bench grafting of resistant 

 varieties of grapes seem to be difficult to obtain owing to the care which must be 

 taken in performing the numerous details involved. In this article the author 

 describes quite completely the method, previously noted (E. 8. R., 14, p. 1071), of 

 packing the grafts in a mixture of moss and charcoal and forcing them into growth 

 by the aid of artificial heat before transplanting them to the nursery. 



It is believed by the writer that by this method from 50 to 75 per cent of the 

 grafts made will be successful. Not only can this comparatively high percentage be 

 obtained, but the necessity of wrapping the graft when made is done away with and 

 a much better callus secured. It is proposed to undertake experiments at the Cali- 

 fornia Experiment Station on a commercial scale along this line. 



Influence of the soil on the composition of the tea leaf and the quality 

 of the tea, I, A. W. Nanninga {Meded. 'S Lands Plantentuin, 1903, No. 65, pp. 49). — 

 The author refers to previous work on this subject, especially to that of Bamber and 

 Mann. The former stated that tlie presence of iron compounds in the soil was fav- 

 orable to a higher quality in the tea, while no relation could be found between the 

 presence of phosphoric acid, potash, and lime in the soil and the quality of the tea. 



The author took samples of tea leaves from several plantations having similar cli- 



