938 EXPEKIMENT STATION EECOED. 



variety of the comiuon burdock of this country, the root, which is the part eaten, 

 being prepared similarly to salsify. The catawisa onion, also known as the 

 AVelsh onion, is grown for its leaves and small aerial bulbels, which are said to 

 be of value for pickling. 



Biennial Report of Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station (Missouri 

 Fruit Stu. Kpt. 1905-6, pp. i.s, /W.s-. '/). — The work of the station during the past 

 2 years has consisted primarily in the development of the variety orchard, 

 together with some work in plant breeding, spraying demonstrations, and 

 cooi)erative work in relation to pruning, cultivating, and the general care of 

 orchards. 



The station now has the following ci'oss-bred and pure-l)red seedlings : 10,000 

 strawberries. 1,070 apples, and 200 peaches, together with seed resulting from 

 the crosses of 1906, numbering about 2,-500 apples and 1,500 peaches. Of the 

 1,000 strawberry crosses which fruited during the past season, 50 varieties have 

 been selected for further trial. Tables are given of the cross-bred and pure- 

 bred peach seedlings, showing the parentage, description of the fruit, date of 

 fruiting, resistance to disease, etc. 



As the result of spraying for codling moth as high as 92.3 per cent of sound 

 fruit has been obtained from sprayed trees, as against 19.1 per cent of wormy 

 apples on unsprayed trees. 



A list is given of the varieties of grapes grown at the station, showing their 

 relative profitableness, susceptibility to disease, and value for table use or wine, 

 together with notes on their growth. 



In connection with the cooperative orchard work 4 plates accompany the 

 text, illustrating pruning and clearing work. 



Etherizing white Roman hyacinths, J. Taubenhaus {Cornell Couniryman, 

 '/ {1901), ISlo. 8, pp. 25.'i-257, figs. 3). — The studies were made in order to deter- 

 mine the influence of temperature upon the growth of etherized bulbs, and to 

 determine whether bulbs after being etherized need a rest. The method of pro- 

 cedure, in substance, was as follows : The bulbs were etherized with sulphuric 

 ether in a tight tin box, where they remained for 24 hours and were then jilanted 

 in pots. The etherized bulbs were then divided into 4 groups, the bulbs of the 

 first group being forced immediately, and the remaining bulbs being forced 2, 4, 

 and G weeks, respectively, after etherization. Each of these groups was again 

 subdivided, portions being forced in a hot house, a medium liouse, and a cold 

 house. The first bulbs to bloom were the etherized bulbs which were forced 2 

 weeks after etherization in the medium house. In each group the etherized 

 bulbs bloomed earlier than the check. The length of stem and quality of flowers 

 differed between the etherized bulbs and the checks, the flowers being somewhat 

 larger and the stems co'nsiderably taller and stronger in the case of the etherized 

 bulbs. 



As a result of these experiments the author comes to the following conclusions 

 as far as the white Roman hyacinths are concerned : The etherizing of the bulbs 

 appears to hasten the blooming period, to improve the (luality of flowers and size 

 of stems, and to increase the amount of flowers. The best method of procedure 

 is to etherize the bulbs, then plant in pots and allow them to rest for 2 weeks, 

 thus encouraging the formation of the roots. A medium temperature is con- 

 sidered best, as too much heat appears to hold the bulbs back for 3 or 4 days. 

 Where earliness of bloom is not particularly desired, the bulbs may be etherized 

 and rested for 2, 4, 6. or even 8 weeks at any tem])erature between 50 and 

 S0° F., with good results. 



Renewal of old orchards, P. IT. Rali.ou {0]iio >Si(i. Bui. ISO, pp. 89-110, flr/s. 

 l-'i).- — This bulletin contains practical lessons hi orchard renewal as conducted 



