20 BULLETIN 162, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



this climate, for the reason that the Blastophaga, the insect necessary 

 for the fertilization of the fruit, will probably not endure the winter 

 temperatures. 



Walnut. — Another possibility of nut culture is the Persian walnut, 

 which has already made rapid growth when budded or grafted on 

 the native walnut, although the effort to grow it is at present wholly 

 in the experimental stage. A number of grafts and buds have been 

 worked on the native Juglans nigra, both at the station and for 

 Mr. F. F. Collins, who has cooperated in this work. While the 

 trees worked have not yet reached the bearing age, still with the 

 exception of the first year, when they were severely frozen back, the 

 Persian walnuts have made an excellent growth on this stock. 



Almond. — Although doubtful for fruit production, owing to its 

 early-blooming tendency, the almond makes a vigorous tree. A few 

 nuts of the Nonpareil variety were secured in 1912 from a tree 

 two years from planting. 



Pistache. 1 — A rather complete collection of pistache trees, from 

 which the pistache nut of commerce is obtained, is being tested here. 

 None of the trees has fruited yet. Most of the species appear to be 

 unadapted to these conditions, owing largely to their susceptibility 

 to root-rot. Many of the trees have died from this disease. 



Pomegranate.- — Although not producing a fruit of much commer- 

 cial importance, pomegranates have proved to be as well adapted to 

 the particular local conditions as any orchard plant tested, being very 

 resistant to the adverse soil conditions fatal to many fruit trees. As 

 ornamentals or for a hedge plant they are very useful, although occa- 

 sionally there are winters when the}' will be injured by frost. 



A variety test of 12 named varieties is being conducted, and also 

 seedling pomegranates covering half an acre are being fruited with a 

 view to obtain other varieties. A few pomegranate plants in a home 

 garden will not be amiss, for good specimens of the fruit are delicious 

 and refreshing. 



The varieties that have been fruited are the Radinar, San Pipetos, 

 Jative, Hermosilla, Papershell, Sweet, Ruby, Dessia, and Subacid. 

 The varieties in this collection that have produced the best fruits are 

 San Pipetos, Jative, and Dessia, while the Radinar, Papershell, and 

 Subacid varieties have matured the heaviest crops. Plants of the 

 San Pipetos and Jative have made the heaviest growth. 



Jujube. — The jujube, or Chinese date (Ziziphus sp.),is one of the 

 more promising new fruits, and the hardy types appear to be well 

 adapted to San Antonio conditions. Two species, Ziziphus mauri- 



1 The testing of pistache trees at this station has been carried on in cooperation with the Office of Crop 

 Physiology and Breeding Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry. 



2 The testing of pomegranate varieties at this station has been carried on in cooperation with the Office of 

 Alkali and Drought Resistant Plant Investigations, Bureau of Plant Industry. 



