466 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



seem, therefore, that from a commercial standpoint apples which are fairly mature 

 may be expected to retain a more constant composition than those picked in an im- 

 mature state." 



The differences in the chemical changes which occur in the growth of winter and 

 summer apples are traced in considerable detail. It was found that green apples 

 ordinarily mature much more rapidly when stored than when left on the tree and 

 that the apples picked the earliest mature more rapidly than those picked at a later 

 date. The methods of analysis followed by the authors in this work are given in 

 detail, together with methods followed by other investigators along the same line. 



In the work on the insoluble carbohydrates or marc in apples a review is given of 

 the characteristics of pectin bodies as observed by many other investigators with 

 different fruits and vegetables. A table is given showing the results of analyses by 

 the authors of apple marc. In the microscopic and macroscopic examinations of 

 apple starch it was found that the size of the starch grain varies widely according to 

 the condition of maturity of the fruit, A table is given showing the results of meas- 

 urements of starch grains from several varieties. Generally speaking, the starch 

 grains from within the core line are smaller than those from the torus flesh. In the 

 ripening of apples the intercellular air in the flesh of the fruit seems to increase con- 

 stantly as the fruit approaches maturity. The specific gravity appears to diminish 

 from 2 to 5 per cent. 



The "mealiness" of apples was found to be due largely to the softening of the 

 middle lamella of the cell walls which occurs in the last stages of ripening. In 

 mealy apples the cells under pressure are, for the most part, separated from each 

 other instead of being torn apart individually as in less mature fruit. Mealy apples 

 may contain as much juice as apples not so ripe, but do not appear to because of the 

 separation of the cells instead of their splitting or tearing apart in crushing. Photo- 

 graphs are given showing the starch content of apples and its position in the apple 

 at different stages of maturity. 



Pear culture, A. J. McClatchie (Arizona Sia. Bid. 51, pp. 554-557). — The state- 

 ment is made that this fruit is easily grown in Arizona, the tree being little affected 

 by the heat and the blossoms seldom injured by frost. "It is free from diseases or 

 insect pests, bears more regularly than any other fruit, ripens good fruit through a 

 longer season, and is longer lived than any other." Popular directions are given for 

 its culture in Arizona with suggestions as to varieties for planting. 



Japan and hybrid plunis, H. N. Staenes (Georgia Sta. Bui. 68, pp. 38, ph. 8, Jigs. 

 34). — In a previous bulletin (E. S. R., 16, p. 67) the value of native and European 

 plums in Georgia was considered. In the present work the success of Japan and 

 hybrid plums in the State is noted, the varieties grown being described at consider- 

 able length. Tables are given showing the dates of blooming and fruiting of each 

 variety, including one table in which the fruiting periods of native plums are com- 

 bined with Japan and hybrid plums. 



Generally speaking, the Japan and hybrid plunis are much more useful in Georgia 

 than native or European varieties. "They are larger, handsomer, better shippers, 

 and usually firmer and of finer quality than any of the natives, except certain mem- 

 bers of the Americana and Miner groups. They are also, as a rule, less subject to 

 curculio." From the data given in the tables of blooming and fruiting, it appears 

 that more than half of the varieties that are earliest to bloom are latest to ripen fruit, 



Among the maladies of plums special attention is given to "wilt," crown gall, 

 and the borer. The "wilt" is believed to be bacterial in character, but attempts at 

 inoculation have thus far failed. The varieties so far entirely exempt from "wilt" 

 are Apple, Bartlett, America, Marietta, Excelsior, and Babcock, all except Babcock 

 being hybrids. 



Relative to the borer, the author states that contrary to previous belief 90 per cent 

 of the larva emerge from their channels in the base of the tree trunk in the vicinity 



