HORTICULTURE. 1049 



of its retreat, followed by the ;i])i)lication of a contact poison as soon as the 

 water is removed, is said to be a treatment well suited to Wisconsin conditions. 

 Experiments with kerosene for this purpose and the use of torches have not 

 proven satisfactory thus far. 



The importance of clean culture is stronjily emphasized for the destruction of 

 favorable hibernating: places for insect pests. Both fruit-worms and black- 

 headed vine worms were found to be attacked by a special iiarasite, the species 

 of which has not yet been determined. The percentage of the affected individ- 

 uals is not large and the j)arasite can not be relied upon to keep the worms in 

 check. 



The possibilities for fruit growing in Lake Superior region, E. P. Sand- 

 STEN and E. J. Delwiche {Wiscaufiin Sta. Rpt. 1900, p. 230). — Investigations 

 have been made to study the possibilities for fruit growing on Bayfield Peninsula 

 and at other points in the Lake Superior region. It is believed that Bayfield 

 Peninsula, through its favorable location, will in the near future produce apples 

 and cherries sufiicient to supi)ly the immediate wants of nearby markets. To 

 encourage fruit growing in this region, and to study the adaptability of the 

 various varieties, trial orchards'have been established at several points. 



Orchard fruits, K. P. Sanuste.n {Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1906, pp. 219, 220). — 

 An outline is given of the fruit investigations at the station. 



In the work of improving the native plum, started about 12 years ago by the 

 late E. S. Goff, out of a total of 50,000 seedlings grown from standard varieties 

 some 5 or 6 superior varieties have been selected and are now being propagated. 

 The author states that as a result of the work it is shown that the native plum 

 comes true, or nearly true, from seed in spite of the fact that the parent trees, 

 from which seed has been gathered have grown close together and have been 

 freely exposetl to cross-pollination. It is the author's opinion that any difference 

 between the seedlings and the parent trees can be accounted for largely by the 

 difference of soil and cultural methods. The experiments seem to indicate that 

 high culture and persistent selection will accomplish more for the native plum 

 than direct crossing between the existing native varieties. During the past 3 

 years a number of attempts have been made to cross the native plum and the 

 .Japan and European varieties, the results being unsatisfactory since in every 

 instance where crosses were secured the seed failed to grow. 



Most of the seedlings in the experimental work in the apple orchard fruited 

 (luring the year and several very promising varieties were grown. 



In order to give general advice in I'egard to small fruits, most of the leading 

 varieties -of gooseberries, currants, and strawberries have been planted, of which 

 records will be kept and data obtained for future reference. 



Ampelography, G. Moi.on {Ainpplofiinfia. Milan: Llrico Hocpli, 1906, vols. 

 I. pp. XLir + 6)0, fujs. J,.'); 2. pp. 6Jil-12J,^l, figs. 80).— A compilation of scientific 

 knowledge on the grape, with descriptions of the better varieties of grapes and 

 practical notes with respect to their cultivation for wine and table use. and 

 their value as graft-stocks and direct bearers. 



The work is divided into 7 parts. In part 1 is assembled the .-ivailable botan- 

 ical knowledge with reference to the Ampelidea? (Vitaceae). Succeeding portions 

 of the book are devoted to the various ampelographic classifications, bibliography, 

 and descriptions, together with a large number of practical notes on varieties 

 of gr.ipes. The work closes with a list of synonyms and tables showing the 

 varieties best .-idapted to dirfcrcnt purposes. 



Report of the coffee expert, .1. W. Van Leeniioff {Potto Jiiro Sta. Rpt. 

 191)6, pp. 29-31, pi. 1). — An improved condition in regard to production is i"e- 

 ported among the coffee growers of the island, although little progress has been 

 attained in infiuencing the American taste to a liking for Porto Kican coffee. 



