218 



views regarding its value. Experiments by the autlior are cited to 

 show that there is no complete union of the clierry with this stock, 

 especially in the case of the varieties having colored juice. 



At present we are compelled to use the Mahaleb as a stock fcr some of the pale- 

 juiced varieties that make a fairly good union with it, but we are arranging to secuie 

 a better root for all varieties, as the Mahaleb is not suited to all soils. On ordinary 

 black prairie drift it soon perishes, and the tree dies if not rooted from the scion. 



Experience at the station is favorable to the Mazzard and Morello 

 stocks, and the experimental use of the native stocks of the wild red 

 cherry {Pmmis pemisylvanica) and sand cherry [Prunus pumila) is ad- 

 vised. 



Til e plum. — The Myrobalan or Cherry plum, Black Damas, and St. 

 Julian stocks having proved unsatisfactory in the West, the use of the 

 typical form of the native Prunus americana is advised. This should 

 be distinguished from the small red variety, which is worthless for this 

 purpose. 



The prune. — " We have at least two valuable prunes. The Black 

 prune of Eussia is hardy enough to endure the most trying seasons in 

 any part of the State, and the large and fine Hungarian prune will 

 prove profitable in the southern half of the State. These also do best 

 on our native plum stocks." 



The apricot. — '' The Myrobalan and St. Julian stocks have been 

 mainly used in propagating the named varieties of the Russian apri- 

 cots, and the Chinese variety, known as Shense in Iowa and Acme in 

 Nebraska." Experiments at the station, however, indicate that these 

 stocks do not unite with the apricot. "Thus far our experience and 

 observation favor the use of our native plum as a stock for the apricot. 

 Our trees on this root are yet youug but the union is good and we be- 

 lieve the trees will be durable." 



Stone fruits on their own roots. — Experiments with Russian cherry- 

 trees now in jjrogress at the station are referred to in support of the 

 practice, widely adopted in Europe, of growing fruit-trees on their own 

 roots. The methods of propagating fruit-trees from root cuttings are 

 briefly described. 



A CHEMICAL STUDY OF BLUE-GEASS, C. M. WADE, B. S. (pp. 431- 



437). — In view of the fact that blue-grass is being largely grown in Iowa 

 for pasturage and hay a series of cliemical analyses of this plant were 

 made by the author ou samples collected at different stages of growth 

 from the college campus. The results are stated in a table. 



The conclusions were : (1) that since the nitrogen-free extract and crude fiber 

 increase from tlie first, and albuminoids diminish, the nutritive value of the grass is 

 highest wheu it is very youug, and runs down rapidly as the grass develops ; (2) 

 that until bloom the gain in dry matter and the growth of the plant counteract the 

 loss in percent of nutritive constituents; (3) that after blooming the grass loses 

 value through an increase of fiber and a decrease of carbohydrates, which probably 

 become fiber; however, it is believed that at this period the grass suffers more 

 through a loss of digestibility and palatability. 



