HORTICULTURE. 141 



Commercial orcharding and its returns ((S. lutcrnat. Landiv. Kong. Vi'icn, 

 .'/ {1901), Sect. XI, Ref. 1, pp. 76). — A series of reports ou (his subject by 

 E. Gross, A. Havelka. J. Loschnig, K. Mader, F. Rebholz, and Von Solemncher- 

 Antweiler to the Eighth International Congress of Agriculture at Vienna in 

 1907. The reports discuss the advantages and disadvantages of extensive cul- 

 ture of orchard fruits, considerable data being given relative to the cost of 

 ]iroduetion and returns from orchard fruits in Europe. 



Report on orchard extension and the propagation of native varieties of 

 fruits, C. A. Keffeu (Tetinefisce Sto., Rpt. Coop, and Ext. Work Agr. Middle 

 Tcmi. 1907-8, pp. 61-6-'f). — This consists of an outline report of cooperative 

 orchard experiments conducted by the station in middle Tennessee in 1907-8, 

 together with a discussion of the fruit and trucking interests and possibilities 

 in that section and an outline of proposed experiments with fruits and 

 vegetables. 



Can the general farmer afford to grow apples and suggestions on improv- 

 ing and spraying apple orchards, S. B. Hartman and H. J. Eustace (Michi- 

 gan Sta. Bill. 253, pp. S6-.'iS. Jigs. 9). — To show that it pays to grow apples 

 along with other farming operations, S. B. Hartman gives a detailed account of 

 the methods used and the i-esults secured with 3 old and neglected apple 

 orchards which consisted in all of .52 trees of various varieties. 



The work of regeneration consisted chiefly of judicious pruning and spraying. 

 Three good crops were secured during 5 years. The total expense for the 

 period was $531.87, and the net profits $853.46, making at 83 trees per acre an 

 average net profit per acre per year of $104.43. The trees also furnished free 

 fruit for several families and for the stoclj;. The bulletin concludes with sug- 

 gestions on improving and spraying apple orchards. 



The planting of the apple orchard, W. S. Thornber {Washingion 81a. Popu- 

 lar Bill. 1 '/. pp. .'/, figs. 2). — This is designed for prospective apple growers and 

 discusses location and soils, preparation of the soil, nursery stock, planting 

 plans, planting operations, and varieties for different sections of Washington. 



Some factors affecting the keeping qualities of American lemons, R. H. 

 True and A. F. Sievers ( [/. S. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus. Circ. 26, pp. 17). — 

 The losses of lemons from parasitic diseases and blue mold, methods of pre- 

 paring lemons for market, and the physical and chemical characteristics of 

 lemons are discussed, and tentative results are given of studies made to deter- 

 mine the relation between the present methods of preparing lemons for the 

 market and the keeping qualities shown by the fruit after shipment. 



A chemical study of lemons relative to their acid, sugar, and water content 

 indicates that there is a difference of a trifle less than 1 per cent of acid be- 

 tween the best keeping grade of fruit, the tent-cui"ed fruit and the tree-ripened 

 fruit, which latter class represents the poorest grade on the market. It was also 

 shown, contrary to the opinion advanced by some, that the keeping quality of 

 lemons does not appear to be directly influenced by the acid content. During 

 the curing process the percentage of acid shows a tendency to increase, this 

 being accredited chiefly to the water loss accompanying the curing process. 



There is relatively little change in the sugar content during the early history 

 of the fruit, the principal development coming after the fruit has reached its 

 full size ;ind is beginning to ripen. There appears to be no definite increase 

 or decrease in the sugar content during the curing process. 



The loss of water from the fruit during the curing process does not increase 

 or decrea'se week by week with any regularity. The total evaporation from 

 lemons cured in boxes in which the bottoms wex'e paper-lined was somewhat 

 less than where no papers were used. Water evai)oration appears to be influ- 

 enced greatly by existing weather conditions, location of the curing house, etc. 



