VINE GROWIXG 981 



Florida the principal crop is gathered in March, with some late fruit up till 

 May or June. Sometimes there is a second crop at midsummer. In Cali- 

 fornia the crop is gathered in September or October. 



Both in Brazil and Florida fructification is abundant and very regular 

 when once the plants have attained a sufficient age, as they require seve- 

 ral years to reach full bearing. 



The Table shows the composition of the " pitanga " fruit cultivated at 

 Hawaii : 



Water , 90.7 % 



Dry matter 9.3 



Dry matter insoluble in water 1.93 



Acids 1.44 



Protein 1.02 



Total sugars 6.06 



Fat 0.60 



The fruits are eaten raw, or made into jellies, sherbet, liqueurs, sy- 

 rups and wines regarded as medicinal (aperient and digestive). The leaves 

 are widely used at Bahia for ornamental purposes. 



762 - Hybrid Direct Bearers in the Regions of Cotes du Rhone, France, in 1915. — vine growing. 



Desmoulins A.and ViLL.\RD V. in Lc Pioj^ris ni^ncoltct viticulc, 33r(l Yt-ar, Xn. 10, pp. 22S- 

 234; No. II, pp. 258-260; No. 12, pp. 274-279; No. 13, pp. 306-311. Montpellitr, March 

 5, 12, 19 and 26, 1916. 



The observations made in 1915 (i6th year consecutive observations) 

 (i) are of peculiar importance, because of the exceptional virulence developed 

 by mildew throughout almost the whole of the French \dneyards. The dif- 

 ferent Vinifera suffered very badly. 



The collection forming the basis of the writers' observations, and which 

 is increased year by year with the principal new products, is located in the 

 valle}' of the Rhone, en essentially gravelly Alpine alluvial soil, without 

 any lime.stone and containing numerous lottnded pebbles. This soil, with 

 medium fertility, is highly sensitive to drought and combines very favourable 

 conditions for ascertaining the real value of the hybrids under observation, 

 as those with poor phylloxera-resisting powers suffer speedy deterioration. 

 All the varieties observed are free stocks. 



Two tables sum up the numerical results of the observations made in 

 1915. The first gives, for each variety observed, the age, colour of grapes, 

 time of ripening, resistance of foliage and grape bunches to mildew, vigour, 

 fertility, size of bunch, compactness of bunch, size of grapes, cultural par- 

 ticulars etc. The second table indicates the following, in respect to the dif- 

 ferent varieties the must of which has been analysed (62 analyses altogether): 

 average weight of bunches, general health, bunches, day of harvesting, den- 

 sity of must, corresponding degree of alcohol, acidity of must. 



A description is given of the hybrids which yielded the best results, 



(i) For the ob.=;ervations in 1914, see B. 1915, No. 1301. (Ed.) 



