104 



than another so far as fruit is concerned. If the Department of Agriculture has any 

 rule for this operation I would be obliged for information as to the time, and why 

 any particular time is preferred. 



Answer. The best time for the winter pruning of grapes is soon after the fall of the 

 leaves, and the sooner the better, for the reason that the buds will push with more 

 vigor in spring, will bear better fruit, will ripen somewhat earlier. This arises from 

 the circumstance that the plant during winter continues to absorb more or less nu- 

 triment by its roots, which is distributed in the branches or wood. If, therefore, 

 pruning is delayed until the approach of spring this winter accumulation is largely 

 destroyed and lost. When, however, the vine is pruned in the fall the winter accu- 

 mulation of increase will be deposited in the buds and parts left after pruning, and 

 such buds will start vigorously and, in consequence of their better development, the 

 fruit they show will be increased, and the shoots will advance rapidly in growth and 

 attain maturity sooner than those from weaker buds, as may be tested by compara- 

 tive trials and close observation of results. 



This becomes a matter of considerable importance in localities where the growing 

 season is barely of sufficient length to ripen the fruit. 



TONKA BEAN. 



N. B. G., Orange County, Florida. Among other tropical plants which I am trying 

 to grow I would like to raise the Tonka bean plant, and would be greatly obliged 

 for some plants or seeds of it for trial, also some information as to the particular value 

 and use of the bean. 



I hear of a wild vanilla said to be growing in some parts of this State ; would like 

 to know something about it and where seeds or plants can be secured. 



Answer. The Tonka bean is the seed of a tropical tree of Guiana, called Dipterix 

 odorata, which reaches to a height of 60 or 80 feet. The bean has a strong odor, 

 somewhat resembling that of cloves, and is due to the principle called coumariue, a 

 fragrant principle found in the dried leaves of the vernal grass, Anthoxantkum odora- 

 fuw, and in the leaves of the yellow melilot, Melilotus officinalis. The Tonka bean 

 has been used to scent snuff, hence it is called the snuff bean. It is sometimes em- 

 ployed to adulterate vanilla. It imparts to true vanilla a sharp, rank odor and taste, 

 which some persons think indicate " strength," but it detracts from the genuine va- 

 nilla flavor. 



The Dipterix would not succeed with you, as it requires a strictly tropical climate. 



The term wild vanilla is given to a composite plant of the Southern States, called 

 Liatris odoratissima. The driud leaves emit a peculiar odor, alao due to the princi- 

 ple coumarine. The leaves are used in scenting tobacco and snuff. The Liatris is 

 found in swampy woods throughout Florida, which, with the assistance of a local 

 botanist, you can procure without much trouble or expense. 



ZANTE CURRANT. 



H. H. M., San Bernardino County, California. I am anxious to test the soil here 

 in producing the "Zante Currant," and desire to know the kind of vine that pro- 

 duces this fruit and where plants can be obtained. 



Answer. The Zante Currant is the product of a variety of the foreign grape and 

 will undoubtedly grow where other varieties of Vitis vinifera flourish. 



It is merely a seedless form of a black grape ; the origin or cause of its being seed- 

 less has not clearly been explained, except that it results from a deficiency of pollen 

 at the blooming period of the flowers. Similar results are not uncommon with Black 

 Hamburg and other varieties when grown in glass structures; bunches will some- 

 times fail to be properly pollenized, so that a few berries may reach full size with a 

 more or less percentage of small seedless fruits. 



Statements have -been made that Zante currants can be produced only in Greece, 



