068 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



to be erroneous, for treeH firowinu: mile.s from a sterile-flowered one are known to 

 have borne good crops of fruit rej^nlarly." In these iuvestij^ations l)lossonis of the 

 perfect-flowered varieties have been covered to insure self-polMnation, and fruits 

 liave been thus secured. It is stated that sterile-flowered trees may be toi)-grafted 

 with scions from bearing trees. No difference has been noted in the fruit produced 

 from imperfect pistillate flowers and fruit from perfect flowers. 



The varieties Daniel Boone, Early Bearing, and Hicks bori^ fruit 4 years after 

 grafting and 2 years after setting in the orchard. Notes taken from the station rec- 

 ord.s are given on American Honey Seedling, Daniel Boone, Earlv Bearing, and llicks. 



An experience with persimmon seeds, F. O. Harhington \Raral Neio Yorker, 

 63(1004), No. 2S24, p. 207). — The author states that he has been successful in sprout- 

 ing persimmon .seeds only after subjecting them to the softening influence of frost. 

 It is thought, however, that they may sprout when treated in the same manner as 

 the dry seed of honey and black locusts. With the latter, the author puts the seeds 

 in a pan and pours on a couple of quarts of boiling water. It is allowed to stand in 

 this 24 hours, when the water is poured off and boiling Mater again poured on, and 

 the process repeated 24 hours later. It is thought that persimmon .seed thus treated 

 would be likely to grow without subjecting it to freezing. 



The fig in Georg-ia, H. N. Starnes {Gmrrjla Sta. Bui. 61, pp. 47-74, J'ls. 15). — 

 The author classifies the various kinds of figs grown in this country, gives detailed 

 directions for the culture of figs in the South, and presents a system of classification 

 of the figs commonly grown in the South based on the form of the leaf. 



Some 25 or 26 varieties of figs have been grown at the station and these have been 

 grouped into 5 classes known as Okra, Maple, Spoon-bill, and Oak-leaf types. Illus- 

 trations are given of the leaves of the different types and of each variety within the 

 type. Twenty-five varieties grown at the station are described in detail. The idea 

 involved is to systematize present knowledge of varieties and to establish a basis for 

 a more correct nomenclature for southern flgs. Plate illustrations are given of the 

 fruit of 18 varieties of figs, of correct methods of pruning figs in the South, and of 

 fig cuttings. 



Fertilizer experiments with pineapples and bananas {Ann. lipt. Depl. Pnh. 

 Gardens and Plantations and Bd. Agr. [^Jamaica'], 1903, pp. 16-19). — The tal)ulated 

 results secured in experiments in 6 different localities with pines and in 9 different 

 localities with bananas, using from 1 to 13 different fertilizer formulas in each case, 

 are given. 



In only one case with pineapples was the addition of fertilizers to the soil found 

 beneficial. In one of the experiments in which a test was made of the effect of 

 fertilizers on "monstrous" plants, the results indicated that neither slag, suxjerpho.s- 

 phate, mixed phosphate, or sulphate of potash had any effect in cihecking the forma- 

 tion of such fruits. With the bananas a nundjer of soils were found on which the 

 addition of fertilizers proved effective in securing increased crops. 



A chemical manure for the banana {Jour. Jamaica Agr. Soc, S (1904), No. 3, 

 pp. 97, 98). — This article is based on the report of M. Teissonnier, director of the 

 Experimental Garden at Conakry, French Guinea, and relates to the manuring of 

 the banana plant in that State. The soils in Guinea in general'are lacking in potash 

 and phosphoric acid. 



The formula which has been definitely determined upon after 2 years' experimen- 

 tation at the experimental garden is as follows: Nitrogen 5.47 per cent, potash 11.02 

 percent, phosphoric acid 10.2 per cent, and lime 8.17 per cent. About 13 lbs. of 

 this mixture is applied to each clump of bananas during the dry season in fractional 

 applications, 2 lbs. being applied per month. In addition to this it is recommended 

 that the plants receive twice yearly composts of barnyard manure. The cost of 

 manuring is about I5 francs for each clump of bananas, or about 1,500 francs per 

 hectare per year. 



