Fertilizing the wheat crop, C. E. THORNE (Mo. Bul. Ohio Sta., 8 (1918), No. 7, pp. 199-203).-This briefly reviews the results of fertilizer tests with wheat made in 12 counties in Ohio for periods ranging from 1 to 24 years. The wheat was grown in rotations in which it followed corn, oats, or soy beans and was in turn followed by clover or clover and timothy.

An average increase in yield was obtained of more than 4 bu. per 100 lbs. of acid phosphate used alone. With the addition of muriate of potash to the acid phosphate, a further increase of 2.4 bu. per 100 lbs. of muriate was secured, and with the addition of nitrate of soda an increase of 2.97 bu. per 100 lbs. of nitrate over acid phosphate alone. The hay crops following the wheat also showed increased yields amounting to 542 lbs. per 100 lbs. of acid phosphate used alone, 1,408 lbs. more for the addition of 570 lbs. of muriate of potash, and 2,476 lbs. for the further addition of 1,176 lbs. of nitrate of soda. Even at pre-war prices of fertilizers, however, the increased yields obtained from the use of potassium and nitrogen in addition to phosphorus were had at a lower net gain than that secured from the use of acid phosphate alone. It is suggested that manure be largely employed as the carrier of potash and nitrogen and that it be reinforced with acid phosphate applied separately or mixed with the manure.

Wheat experiments, season 1916, A. E. V. RICHARDSON (Jour. Dept. Agr. Victoria, 15 (1917), No. 4, pp. 246–254, figs. 5).—Variety and fertilizer tests with wheat at numerous experimental centers are reported in continuation of work previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 437).

Federation, Dart Imperial, and Yandilla King gave the highest average yields in 1916. Fertilizer tests indicated that the best results were secured with liberal applications of acid phosphate.

The handling and storage of spring wheat, C. H. BAILEY (Jour. Amer. Soc. Agron., 9 (1917), No. 6, pp. 275–281, figs. 5).—Investigations by the Minnesota Grain Inspection Department laboratory and the State Boards of Grain Appeals made in cooperation with the division of agricultural chemistry of the University of Minnesota, are noted. About 20 lots of wheat stored in bulk, having a moisture content of from 12.76 to 17.45 per cent, were employed to ascertain the percentage of moisture which spring wheat may contain without heating in storage. The observations were made on no less than car-load lots and covered a period of two summers and the intervening winter. Data are briefly reviewed on the relation of the rate of heating to moisture content, air temperature, location of the bin, and the original temperature of the grain, and additional data noted on changes in temperature of the grain at different depths. The material of which the bin was constructed affected the keeping qualities of damp grain in the proportion that it afforded heat insulation. The four principal materials used in bin construction are ranked in heat-insulating value by the leading elevator construction companies of Minneapolis as follows: Hollow tile, wood, concrete, and steel.

It was concluded that handling wheat in bulk introduces certain difficulties not met with when it is handled in sacks. Wheat harvested before entirely ripe undergoes a "sweat" either in the shock, stack, or bin, but if normally dried this sweating is said to improve the baking qualities of the flour. The maximum limits of moisture which hard spring wheat may contain without danger of heating in a temperate climate are said to vary from 14.5 to 15.5 per cent. Whether actual heating occurs or not "depends upon several factors, including the hardness of the kernels because of the relation of kernel density to gluten content, the size or dimensions of the bulk, temperature of the atmosphere, initial temperature of the grain, location and consequent exposure

of the bin, and the material of which the bin is constructed." See also a previous note (E. S. R., 38, p. 538).

Seed tests made at the station during 1916 and 1917, M. T. MUNN (New York State Sta. Bul. 446 (1918), pp. 53).—Tabulated data are presented showing the results of purity tests of 906 official samples of agricultural seeds collected during the seasons of 1916 and 1917, also a report on voluntary examinations of 1,251 samples received from correspondents. Violations of the seed law were found in 5.6 per cent of the official samples analyzed, while the voluntary samples are said to have shown a decided lack of uniformity in labeling. Some farm weeds of Sind, A. M. Kazı (Poona Agr. Col. Mag., 8 (1917), No. 3, pp. 179–182).-Some of the common weeds occurring in the Province are listed, briefly described, and the local forage value noted.

HORTICULTURE.

American horticulture, G. MOLON (L'Orticoltura Americano. Milan: Soc. Ort. Lombardia, 1918, pp. XI+287, figs. 287).--An account of American horticulture. based on an inspection trip in the United States and Canada conducted at the request of the Italian Imperial Minister of Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce. Information, illustrations, and statistical data are given relative to various phases of horticulture in this country, including educational institutions, botanic gardens, experiment stations, various cultural industries, and the commerce in horticultural products.

Proceedings of the American Society for Horticultural Science, 1917 (Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci., 1917, pp. 206, pls. 2, figs. 8).—In addition to the routine report, reports are given of the following addresses and papers presented at a special meeting of the society, held in Boston, November 2, and at the annual meeting, held in Pittsburgh, December 27-29, 1917: Observations upon Summer Pruning of the Apple and Peach, by M. A. Blake (pp. 14-23); A Plan for Cooperative College Training in Practical Horticulture, by B. S. Brown (pp. 23-30); The Production of Self-fertile Muscadine Grapes, by C. Dearing (pp. 30-34); Methods in Pure Line Selection Work with Potatoes, by O. B. Whipple (pp. 34-38); Some Correlations in Potatoes, by W. Stuart (pp. 39-45); Bordeaux Spraying for Potatoes in the Corn Belt, by A. T. Erwin (pp. 45-50); Experiments in Selecting Tomatoes for Wilt Resistance (abs.), by C. E. Durst (p. 51); Commercial Evaporation and Dehydration of Fruits and Vegetables, by E. L. Kirkpatrick (pp. 52-55); Correlations Between Fruit and Foliage in Strawberries, by B. S. Pickett (pp. 56-59); An Investigation of the Interrelation of Stock and Scion in Apples, by J. K. Shaw (pp. 59-65); Notes on the Nomenclature and Classification of Currant Varieties, by P. Thayer (pp. 65-70); Variation in Apples as Determined by the Position of the Fruit in the Fruit Cluster, by O. B. Whipple (pp. 71–73); Color Development and Maturity of a Few Fruits as Affected by Light Exclusion, by E. L. Overholser (pp. 73– 85); Factors Influencing Rate of Discharge and the Distribution of Spray Nozzles, by H. L. Crane (pp. 85-92); The Effect of Adjacent Leaf Area on the Sugar Content of Oranges, by J. E. Coit (pp. 92, 93); Experimental Work on Self-fertility of the Apple, by W. H. Alderman (pp. 94-101); Physiological Aspects of Self-fertility of the Apple, by L. I. Knight (pp. 101-105); Winter Injury to Cherry Blossom Buds, by R. H. Roberts (pp. 105-110); Federal Point of View of Demonstration Work in Horticulture and Pomology, by C. P. Close (pp. 110-114); Factors Necessary for Successful Extension Work in Pomology, by R. W. Rees (pp. 114-118); The Rôle of Soil Temperature in Tree Growth, by J. Oskamp (pp. 118-126); Methods in Breeding Peaches, by C. H. Connors (pp. 126, 127); Experiments in Horticultural Teaching, by W. L.

Howard (pp. 128-130); Report of Committee on Undergraduate Work, by B. S. Pickett (pp. 130-132); Methods of Providing Practical Work in Horticultural Courses, by S. W. Fletcher (pp. 133, 134); Courses in Pomology at Cornell University, by W. H. Chandler (pp. 135-137); Pomological Field Laboratories, by E. W. Bailey (pp. 138-140); Report of Committee on Graduate Work, by M. J. Dorsey (pp. 140-147); Olericulture as a Field for Investigation, by T. C. Johnson (pp. 147-153); The Planning of an Experiment for the Fertilization of Vegetables, by C. E. Myers (pp. 153–156); Planning an Experimental Project, by W. L. Howard (pp. 156-160); Report of the Committee on Research and Experimentation, by H. J. Webber (p. 160); The Stimulation of Research, by H. J. Webber (pp. 160-163); Report of the Experimental Work in Floriculture, by A. C. Beal (pp. 164-168); Report of the Committee on Research and Experimentation, by R. L. Watts (pp. 168, 169); Report of Committee on Variety Testing, by J. H. Gourley (pp. 169–178); Report of the Committee on Score Cards for Vegetables, by W. W. Tracy, sr. (pp. 178–180); and The Effect of Soil Conditions on the Nitrogen Content of the Head Lettuce Plant, by H. A. Noyes and C. B. Sayre (pp. 180-183).

[Report of horticultural investigations] (Ann. Rpt. Ontario Agr. Col. and Expt. Farm, 43 (1917), pp. 43–46, fig. 1).—A brief statement of progress made in breeding fruits and vegetables at the Ontario Experimental Farm.

As a result of strawberry breeding work started in 1912 several thousand seedlings have been fruited. Of the selected seedlings fruiting in 1917 four varieties appear worthy of introduction. Approximately 1,000 crossbred seedling apple and pear trees are being grown to the fruiting age. Twelve hundred apple and 100 pear seedlings grown from Russian seed of hardy varieties are being fruited with the view of securing hardy fruits for the North.

Considerable progress has been made in breeding celery, cabbage, carrots, beets, and onions. Small supplies of superior stock seed of these vegetables have been raised with the view of producing future seed supplies for the Dominion.

Care of the garden in hot weather, J. W. LLOYD (Illinois Sta. Circ. 224 (1918). pp. 4). This circular contains suggestions for the cultural treatment of different vegetables during hot weather.

Some tests of garden vegetables in Singapore, C. F. BAKER (Gardens' Bul. Straits Settlements, 2 (1918), No. 1, pp. 6-13).—Acclimatization tests of a number of varieties of vegetables conducted in the Economic Garden in Singapore are here reported.

Comparison of percentages of nitrogen in tops and roots of head lettuce plants, H. A. NOYES (Jour. Indus. and Engin. Chem., 10 (1918), No. 8, pp. 621624, figs. 2).—Analyses made in a preliminary investigation of the nitrogen content of head lettuce being grown in the greenhouse at the Indiana Experiment Station are here reported. The plants were grown in bank sand containing very little available plant food, in a mixture of bank sand and partially rotted horse manure at the rate of 3 bu. of sand to 2 bu. of manure, and in brown silt loam which produces good crops in the field.

The nitrogen content of the plants varied considerably on different soils, with different fertilizer treatments on the same soil, and with the same fertilizer treatment on different soils. The soil had a greater effect on the nitrogen content of the plants (both tops and roots) than the fertilizer treatments did. The fertilizer treatments varied the nitrogen content most on the bank sand, which was lowest in plant food, and least on the bank sand and manure mixture, which was highest in plant food.

The percentage of nitrogen in the tops of the plant does not tend to bear a constant relation to that in the roots. With the percentage of nitrogen in the

roots taken at 100 the closest ratio obtained was 105 parts in the tops. The widest ratio was 236 parts in the tops.

The variations found in this preliminary study were so large that further work is being done to ascertain the optimum analyses for the head lettuce plant.

Home fruit grower, M. G. KAINS (New York: A. T. De La Mare Co., Inc., 1918, pp. 213, figs. 139).—A treatise on amateur fruit growing, the successive chapters of which discuss choosing varieties; beauty, comfort, and utility; laying out the plantation; home orchards in the South; buying the plants; soil, fertilizers, situations, and cover crops; summer care of plantation; dwarf fruit trees; insect and disease control; storage of fruits; the various species of fruits; diverse species of nuts; and home fruits as educators of public taste. Marketing berries and cherries by parcel post, C. C. HAWBAKER and C. A. BURMEISTER (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 688 (1918), pp. 17, figs. 10).-Experiments conducted by the Bureau of Markets of the U. S. Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Post Office Department, the results of which are here summarized, indicate that under proper methods of packing certain of the small fruits, such as strawberries, blackberries, huckleberries, and cherries, may he shipped by parcel post. Experiments in shipping raspberries have not been favorable. The bulletin contains suggestions relative to methods of shipping these fruits. Whether such shipments will prove profitable to the grower can be decided only by consideration of various factors, such as the cost of marketing by this method and the net return as compared with other methods of marketing, the quantity of berries to be marketed, location of shipper with reference to the post office and market, and the ability of the shipper to develop and maintain a mail order business.

Newer varieties of strawberries, O. M. TAYLOR (New York State Sta. Bul. 447 (1918), pp. 55-78, pls. 9; abridged ed., pp. 3-10).—In continuation of a previous report (E. S. R., 33, p. 142) this bulletin gives the results of tests of recent strawberry introductions conducted on the station grounds. The varieties tested are described in detail and are also grouped according to different characteristics, such as very productive varieties, shy-plant producers, varieties susceptible to leaf spot, flowers imperfect or pistillate, very early, medium early, late, and very late, varieties with berries very firm, and generally desirable varieties.

As the result of breeding work conducted at the station, thousands of plants have been under observation. In the spring of 1917 plants of eight kinds that have been named were distributed in different parts of the State for testing under varying soil and climatic conditions. Full descriptions are included of these seedlings.

Further studies of the rots of strawberry fruits, N. E. STEVENS and R. B. WILCOX (U. S. Dept. Agr. Bul. 686 (1918), pp. 14).—In continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 37, p. 351), the results are given for the season of 1917 of field investigations conducted in a number of States. In addition to a study of the strawberries in the field, experimental shipments and observations of the fruit in various markets were made. A bibliography of literature cited is appended. The results of these investigations are summarized as follows:

"Leak, caused by Rhizopus nigricans, is by far the most important rot of strawberries after picking. Losses from leak can be most effectively reduced by keeping berries at low temperatures and by handling them carefully. Berries picked in the early morning are cool and less likely to decay than those picked during the heat of the day. Adequate refrigeration greatly reduces the rate of growth of R. nigricans in transit. Washing strawberries to remove dirt

may have a beneficial effect if the berries are washed in clean water, handled with care, packed in the crates while still wet, and refrigeration is not too long delayed. Less bruising results if the berries are packed in boxes and then washed by dipping the entire box or by running water through it than if the berries are washed before packing and plating.

"Botrytis sp. is characteristically a field rot of strawberries. It is most abundant and serious in the field under conditions of excessive moisture. Berries affected with Botrytis can be recognized at the time of picking and packing and should not be included in fruit intended for market. Although Botrytis is able to grow at low temperatures and frequently produces abundant aerial hyphæ on strawberries in refrigerator cars, its growth on ripe berries is so slow that it is of minor importance as a cause of rot in transit. It is evident that the entrance of Rhizopus into strawberries and the production of leak are not dependent upon previous infection by Botrytis."

Influence of the annual shoot pruning on the vitality of the plant, E. MER (Compt. Rend. Acad. Agr. France, 4 (1918), No. 28, pp. 785-804, figs. 4).—Observations made by the author indicate that green shoots of the grapevine may be removed for forage purposes in the fall after the starch has migrated into the canes and roots but before the leaves have become discolored without materially injuring the vitality of the vines.

Results obtained in Italy from the sowing of caprifig seed, B. LONGO (Atti R. Accad. Lincei, Rend. Cl. Sci. Fis., Mat. e Nat., 5. ser., 27 (1918), I, No. 1, pp. 55-57; abs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Internat. Rev. Sci. and Pract. Agr., 9 (1918), No. 5, p. 571).—The author cites the experience of other investigators in which it was found that when seeds of the common edible fig are sown both edible figs and caprifigs are obtained. In 1912 he sowed both wild and culti vated caprifig seed. The plants obtained began to bear fruit in 1917 and proved to be partly edible figs and partly caprifigs. Thus it appears that the seed of the caprifig, like those of the common edible fig, give both edible and caprifigs. Diseases and pests of cacao in Ecuador and modern methods adapted to the cultivation of cacao, J. B. RORER (Enfermedades y Plagas del Cacao en el Ecuador y Metodos Modernos Apropiados al Cultivo del Cacao. Guayaquil, Ecuador: [Author], 1918, pp. 80, figs. 22).—An account of the important diseases and pests of cacao in Ecuador, including a discussion of the adaptation of modern practices in the cultivation of cacao, translated from English by A. Pachano.

[The oil content of coconuts on heavy clay soil], J. B. HARRISON and C. B. W. ANDERSON (Rpt. Dept. Sci. and Agr. Brit. Guiana, 1916, pp. 43, 44).—Analyses of coconuts growing on heavy clay soil in the experimental fields of the Department of Science and Agriculture are reported. The data given show that the oil content of the nuts compares favorably with the oil content of coconuts grown in various other countries.

Some effects of shading lemon trees, A. D. SHAMEL, C. S. POMEROY, C. L DYER, and L. B. SCOTT (Mo. Bul. Cal. Com. Hort., 7 (1918), No. 7, pp. 441–451. figs. 4).-In November, 1913, a tent of tobacco cloth, approximately an acre in extent, was erected over a plat of 76 Eureka lemon trees in an orchard near Corona, Cal., for the purpose of determining its value as a protection from frost. No serious frosts occurred prior to the destruction of the tent in December, 1915, but a large amount of data showing the effect of shading lemon trees was secured and is here presented in part.

Wind velocity, temperature, and relative humidity records were maintained throughout the period of observation. Wind velocity was materially reduced within the tent thereby protecting the trees and fruit from injuries such as broken branches, scarred and bruised fruits, and wilted leaves during periods of low relative humidity. The temperature records indicate that for the entire