136 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECOED. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Electricity in relation to horticulture, J. H. Priestley {Jour. Boy. Ilort. 

 Soc. [London], 37 (1911), No. 1, pp. 15-25). — The author here describes the 

 system of overhead electrical discharge and the use of electric light in the 

 greenhouse, special attention being paid to questions that arise in regard to 

 large scale experimental trials with these methods. The results obtained in 

 experiments with the overhead discharge method have been previously noted 

 (E. S. R., 23, p. 326). 



The germination results secured with various vegetable seeds in a forcing 

 experiment with a Cooper Hewitt mercury vapor lamp, conducted by Miss E. C. 

 Dudgeon in 1910 are here given. Rapid germination and continued rapid growth 

 resulted from the use of the lamp for a period of some 2 hours every evening 

 after daylight had failed. There was no indication of overexertion of tissues, 

 the plants having, if anything, a better appearance than the controls. In this 

 experiment the ultra-violet rays appeared to have caused no injury to the 

 plant. 



Electricity in horticulture, G. F. S. Elliot (Oard. Chron., 3. sen, 48 (1910), 

 No. 124'h P- Sl.'t; ahs. in Internat. Inst. Agr. [Rome], Bui. Bar. Apr. Intel, and 

 Plant Diseases, 1910, Nov., pp. 38, 39). — ^A small overhead installation was used 

 by Miss E. C. Dudgeon at Dumfries, Scotland, in 1910. The discharge wires 

 were placed about 15 ft. above ground and, except for a total period of about 

 3 weelis during unfavorable weather or repairs, the apparatus was used regu- 

 larly after May 30 with crops of oats, potatoes, beets, peas, strawberries, and 

 onions. In fine weather the apparatus was used only for about 2 hours at 

 sunset. In cloudy weather the discharges were continued for 4 or 5 hours, and 

 In showery weather as long as the wires were dry enough. 



No control plats were used, but as compared with neighboring crops the re- 

 sults as a whole show more luxuriant growth and increased yield on the electri- 

 fied plats. The experiments are to be continued with control plats. 



Horticulture on moorlands. — A report on the utilization of our German 

 moors in horticultural pursuits, T. Echtekmeyer (Ber. Landto. Reichsamte 

 Innern [Germany], 1911, No. 22, pp. 36, pis. 30, map 1). — In 1909 the author 

 made a survey of agricultural conditions in the West German and Holland 

 moors. The present report embraces the results of a horticultural nature, 

 showing what has been accomplished in Holland on these soils as well as the 

 possibilities of similar situations in Germany. In conclusion a number of 

 recommendations are given dealing with the exploitation and development of 

 German moorlands. 



Erost protection in fruit orchards (8ci. Amer. Sup., 72 (1911), No. 1869, pp. 

 281, 282, figs. 3). — Methods proposed mainly by A. G. McAdie, of the Weather 

 Bureau of this Department (E. S. R., 22, p. 217; 24, p. 38; 25, pp. 37, 420), are 

 briefly described. 



An analysis of western spraying methods, A. L. Mexandee (Better Fruit, 

 6 (1911), No. Jf, pp. 39-41). — Considerable data were secured through corre- 

 spondence during the seasons of 1909 and 1910 relative to methods of spraying 

 for the codling moth in the State of Washington and, in a few cases, elsewhere. 

 The data secured from over 60 growers as here summarized show how many ap- 

 plications of arsenate of lead were made, the number of gallons of spray made 

 with each pound of arsenate of lead, the method of spraying, total crop in 

 boxes, and the amount of loss. 



The results for the two seasons show that a single application of spray at 

 the end of blossoming averaged but 1 per cent of loss, 2 applications averaged 

 4.5 per cent, and with 4 or more sprayings during the season, 8 per cent of 



