236 HORTICULTURE [BoT. Absts., Vol. IX, 



could not be correlated with the above factors. Usually the first appearing pistillate flower 

 aborts, then the next flower or flowers are followed by a series of abortions, which in turn are 

 followed by another set. This periodic setting of fruit was also noted in the only open-polli- 

 nated plant under observation. — H. A. Jones. 



1469. Lavender, W. The French method of growing asparagus. Gard. Chron. 69: 129. 

 1921. — The ground is first plowed to a depth of 12-14 inches in autiimn after thorough dressing 

 with manure. The surface is left rough during the winter. The best results are obtained in 

 sandy loam. In heavy lands, a large quantity of gritty soil should be added. Reliable stock 

 is essential and one of the largest growers never plants roots over 1 year old as they make better 

 growth than older roots. Cutting can begin cautiously the 3rd year after planting, but only 

 2 or 3 stems are taken from each stool. When the stools are ready for planting, the roots are 

 spread out in a shallow trench and covered with not over 2 inches of rich compost. During 

 the first 2 seasons catch crops are planted between the rows but before the 3rd spring the roots 

 are earthed up with little hillocks 1 foot high. Plants are placed 3-4 feet apart according to 

 soil and amount of manure applied. Freshmanure is not necessary each season, but the largest 

 stalks are secured by good fertilizing. In the vicinity of Paris, road sweepings are applied. 

 If the stalks are preferred green rather than blanched, only a small amount of soil is placed 

 over the stools. — P. L. Richer. 



1470. Lloyd, J. W. The effect of "nipping" muskmelon vines. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. 

 Sci. 17: 12G-128. 1920 [1921]. — Nipping of the terminal bud of muskmelon vines under field 

 conditions in Illinois was found to be impracticable, both from the standpoint of earliness and 

 total production. In an average of 8 tests the nipped vines produced .99 pounds per hill of 

 early melons and the vines not nipped 1.02, The average total yield from nipped vines was 

 3.14 pounds per hill while the vines not nipped produced 3.49. The author concludes that 

 earliness and productiveness in muskmelons may better be promoted by liberal fertilizing 

 and careful tillage to encourage vigorous vine growth than by nipping vines to force the 

 formation of laterals. — H. A. Jones. 



1471. Rapp, C. W. Some important factors in snap bean production. Proc. Amer. Soc. 

 Hort. Sci. 17: 116-119. 1920 [1921].— Work at the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station 

 has shown that bacterial blight of snap beans, caused by Bacterium phaseoli, can be controlled 

 by planting aged seed on disease-free soil. Infected seed stored for 2 years and planted on 

 disease-free soil produced disease-free plants. The germination average of 4 varieties of snap 

 beans under field conditions after 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years' storage was 92, 91, 70.5, 58, and 22 per 

 cent respectively. — H. A. Jones. 



1472. Wellington, R. Report on vegetable investigations being carried on by experiment 

 stations and similar institutions. Proc. Amer. Soc. Hort. Sci. 17: 267-275. 1920 [1921], — ^A 

 compilation is presented of some of the more important vegetable experiments being conducted 

 in the U. S. A. and Canada. The author has divided the field, grouping projects of similar 

 nature under the same head, as follows: (1) Rotation and fertilizer experiments; (2) soil com- 

 posting; (3) cultural methods; (4) pruning, training, and suckering; (5) study of plant varia- 

 tions, habits, and adaptations; (6) breeding and selection; (7) pollination studies; (8) use of 

 electricity; (9) cost of production studies; (10) degeneracy of white potatoes and disease studies; 

 (11) storage investigations; and (12) test of varieties. — H, A. Jones. 



HORTICULTURE PRODUCTS 



1473. Bentley, C. M, Problems confronting the canning industry. Monthly Bull, Dept. 

 Agric, California 9: 643-649, 1920. 



1474. Christie, A. W. Efficiency in dehydration. Monthly Bull. Dept. Agric. California 

 10: 75-82, 1921. — The author treats in detail the various factors concerned in dehydration of 

 fruit and points out the channels for economy in each of the main factors. The preparation of 

 fruit for dehydration, — sulphuring, lye-dipping, etc., — and the processing and packing of the 

 dried product are fully discussed. — E. L. Overholser. 



