104 JAMESTOWN CONGRESS OF HORTICULTURE 



been begun in southern California. The work has been of a prelimi- 

 nary nature but has developed some promising lines along which to 

 attack the problem. A study of lemon storage will be a necessary for- 

 ward step in this work. 



VITICULTURAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



For several years past the Department has directed a special effort 

 toward the maintenance and upbuilding of the grape industry. The 

 chief part of this work is now located in California, although consider- 

 able attention is also being given to the rotundifolia grape industry of 

 the South. In California we have a number of co-operative experi- 

 mental vineyards where a great number of varieties are being tested, 

 including specially imported European stocks. 



A considerable part of this work consists in the dissemination of 

 information regarding grapes and grape products. Several publica- 

 tions dealing with various viticultural problems have been issued from 

 time to time, and a great quantity of correspondence is conducted with 

 co-operative grape growers and others. 



In the rotundifolia grape investigations a special study has been 

 made of the various requirements of this type of grape. The marked 

 differences found in the size, color, flavor, and quality of the varieties 

 in cultivation, most of which are wild vines or accidental seedlings, 

 indicate great possibilities of improvement under systematic effort, and 

 bid fair to bring into profitable culture considerable areas of unused 

 land in the south Atlantic and gulf states. 



FRUIT DISTRICT INVESTIGATIONS. 



This work is directed toward the determination of the adapta- 

 bility of fruit varieties to different conditions and their value for 

 specific purposes as influenced by the conditions under which they are 

 grown. Owing to the nature of the work it must be continued through 

 a course of years in order to arrive at intelligent and conclusive results. 

 The work is being prosecuted in several sections of the country, includ- 

 ing the Piedmont and Blue Ridge areas of the southern states, the 

 Shenandoah and Cumberland valleys, comprising the great Appalachian 

 valley, and the Ozark region of Missouri and Arkansas. Chief atten- 

 tion is being devoted to orchard fruits in these regions. 



DEMONSTRATIONS, EXPERIMENTS AND OTHER WORK IN CONNECTION WITH 

 PLANTS UNDER GLASS. 



In connection with its general greenhouse work the Department 

 carries on special investigations relating to the growing of plants under 

 glass. This work includes experiments in forcing tomatoes, the propa- 

 gation of tropical fruits, and also some work on florists' crops. The 

 latter phase covers such crops as carnations and chrysanthemums. The 

 Department conducts an annual chrysanthemum exhibit in connection 

 with this greenhouse work, which is largely attended. 



