IIORTICULTUKE. 441 



keriiols. It is pointed out tliat tliis result does not ncM-ossnrily indicilc that 

 wiio.-it is better in (|Uiilit.v on .-urount of its low absolute \vei.t,dit. 



The absolute wei.t^lit and mealiness were correlated to some <>xtent, wheats 

 with a hi.sjh absolute weight also rankln.i; high in mealiness, and those low in 

 absolute weight standing low in mealiness. Although this was generally the 

 case, in many instances wheats gi'own in the same rcgi<in were fdund to be excep- 

 tions to this rule. The absolute weight and the i)rotein contiMit of the material 

 under investigation were inversely proportional to each other, but attention is 

 called to the fact that this can not be a definite rule, because the protein content 

 of varieties of the same absolute weight may vary considerably in different sea- 

 sons. The correlation between the ab.solute weight and the gluten content was 

 less evident than between absolute weight and protein. 



In (piality the mealy or soft wheats were inferior to the hard glassy varie- 

 ties. The increase in mealiness of the grain was generally accompanied by a 

 decrease In i)rotein and gluten, but in a few instances this was not the case. 



I'rotein content and iinality are correlated in that wheats high in protein are 

 usually supi'rioi- in (|uality. The average results of tlie different analyses 

 reported indic-ate that with a few exceptions the gluten content increased with 

 the protein content. It was observed that the (luality of the gluten and not its 

 (luantity deternuned tlu> ipiality of the wheat. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Horticulture department, K. W. Fishke {Montana 8ta. Rpt. 1905, pp. 281- 

 2S'i). — This gives a brii'f outline of the work of the year, with some details in 

 regard to thinning experiments with apples. 



In one case with Duchtss and Wealthy trees ranging from iS to 15 years old 

 al)out t of the crop, or an average of 918 apples, was taken from each tree. 

 !t required 15 minutes to thin the fruit from one Duchess tree and 22 min- 

 utes from each Wealthy tree, the trees in the latter case being larger and with 

 a heavier crop of smaller fruit. At these rates it is figured that it would cost 

 '^7 to thin an acre of Duchess trees and .$'.).00 an acre of Wealthies. In 

 some other experiments it required D minutes to thin fruit on Mcintosh trees 

 I)lanted IS ft. apart each way. For thinning Alexander trees 14 minutes was 

 required. In all cases marked benefit in the increased size of the apples as the 

 result of the thinning was noted. 



Report of the horticulturist, F. (Jaucia {Xov Mexico Sta. Rpt. lHOo. pp. 

 21-31). — A general outline of the work of the year, with some details of the 

 cost of producing chiles. The cost per acre of preparing the land, sowing the 

 seed, irrigating, hoeing, cultivating, etc., for green chiles was .$15.82, seed $4, 

 picking .$12.78. hauling to cannery $4..50, making a total cost of .$.37.10 per 

 aero. The yield was 7,.5.36 lbs., which sold at the cannery for li cts. a pound, 

 leaving a net pi'ofit for this crop of $75.94. For red chiles the cost of produc- 

 tion was .S4."..(i4 per acre ami the net profit .$n(;.2r). 



The Casaba melon, C. C. Royce (Pay-ific Rural Pirxs. l.i it HOC). Xo. 20. p. 

 308). — Letters from this Department are quoted, showing that seed of the 

 Casaba melon was sent to parties in California as early as 18(i9. 



Dwarf fruit trees, V. A. Waicii (Xcu: York: ()ru)if/r Judd To,, IDOC). pp. 

 I2'i. fi</n. '/'/). — A pojailar account for amateur fruit growers of the jtropagation, 

 pruning, and the general management of dwarf fruit trees in the T'nited States 

 and Canada is given. 



It is believed that dwarf fruits, while of but little comm(>rcial importance in 

 this country, may find a place in the gardens and small gr<)un<ls of jieople living 



175:'.;'. — No. .5 — 07 M 1 



