NOTES AND ABSTRACTS. 



803 



the transportation of Bananas, purchase of suckers, Citrus fruits, Pines, 

 &c, with some general and concluding remarks. It is a noteworthy 

 record that seventy- one millions of Oranges were shipped from Jamaica 

 during 1903.— if. C. G. 



Fruit Packing. By J. M. Buisson and Ch. Parigot (Rev. Hort. 

 pp. 233-235, May 16, 1904 ; 11 woodcuts). — Interesting examples of 

 packages shown at the Packing Exhibition, Paris, with descriptive 

 remarks.— C. T. D. 



Fruit in North Dakota. By C. B. Waldron (U.S.A. Agr. Exp. 

 Stn. N. Dakota, Bull. 59, 1904). — For Strawberries in this district a 

 windbreak on the south is necessary to shelter from the drying south 

 winds, and choice is made of a north or north-east slope. As the rainfall 

 is small, sandy and gravelly soils have to be avoided, and deep mellow 

 soil chosen in which the roots extend down 2^ feet. On the experiment 

 station it has not been found necessary or profitable to fertilise the soil, 

 but land much less fertile would be benefited by well-rotted stable 

 manure. 



The deepest and best soil in the district should be selected for fruit. 

 Wild Plums of many types, some of them of excellent quality, are found 

 commonly growing in all parts of the State. Many have been transplanted 

 to the home garden. Now over a hundred varieties of the same Plum 

 which is found growing wild in the State are offered for sale. Where mice 

 and rabbits injure the trunks during winter, tar paper is bound round each 

 tree. Specially hardy varieties of Apple are required for the North- West. 

 For protection, it is found advisable, where the soil will admit, to plant the 

 trees from six inches to a foot deeper than they grew in the nursery ; the 

 growth is a little slower, but the wood is better ripened, thus reducing 

 the danger of blight, winter-killing, and drought. Very low-headed trees 

 succeed best. — C. H. H. 



Fruit, Peat for packing*. By Cino (Bull. B. Soc. Tosc. Ort. 2, 

 p. 47, Feb. 1904). — The chief external causes of the malpreservation of fruit 

 are : the evaporation of the liquids composing them, causing wrinkling 

 of the skin and loss of weight ; mouldiness and spotting, arising from 

 condensation of atmospheric moisture on their outer surface when slight 

 changes of temperature occur ; injury caused by insects ; spontaneous 

 rotting. 



The consequences resulting herefrom are : the ugly appearance of the 

 fruit ; its commercial depreciation ; often its complete loss. 



All these causes may be partially avoided by the judicious use of 

 yellow pulverised peat. 



It is only the Dutch peat, entirely free of inert and earthy products, 

 which is completely effectual in preserving fruit and vegetables. The peat 

 is quite inodorous, and can therefore convey neither taste nor smell to 

 the fruit. Cork, on the contrary, transmits its peculiar odour to the 

 fruit. 



As the peat absorbs moisture, it protects the fruit from all hygrometric 

 condensation. It asphyxiates all insects which try to enter the boxes. 



G G 2 



