636 EXPEKIMENT STATION" EECOED. 



Seed tests and microscopic examinations, A. Voigt (Jahrb. Hamburg. Wiss. 

 Anst., 25 {1901), pp. 3S8-361).—Dmmg the year ended June 30, 1908, 5,633 

 tests were made for 405 persons. The seed samples sent in were mainly clover, 

 grasses and grains, and root and oil crops. The results of the examinations and 

 tests are tabulated and a brief note on each kind of seed is given. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Pollination of the apple, C. I. Lewis and C. C. Vincent {Oregon Sta. Bui. 

 lO.'f, pp. 3--'iO, figs IJf). — Owing to many complaints from various parts of the 

 State relative to the lack of setting of fruit, the Oregon Station has taken up a 

 number of pollination problems, the results of some of which are reported in 

 this bulletin. 



An account is given of the technique of pollination as employed by the authors. 

 In the method herein outlined from 600 to 1,000 emasculations per day were 

 made. The small camel's hair brush was found to be a practical and efficient 

 way of applying the pollen to the stigmas, and very satisfactory results were 

 obtained by applying the pollen at the time of emasculation, although many 

 breeders do not make the applications until 2 or 3 days after the blossoms are 

 opened. It is pointed out that when pollenizing and emasculating are done at 

 the same time, the bags will not have to be removed again. 



Experiments were made to determine the efficiency of wind in distributing 

 pollen. In confirmation of Waugh's work (E. S. R., 11, p. 347), the authors 

 found that plum ]iollen was not transmitted through the air in sufficient quanti- 

 ties to insure cross-pollination. Similar results were secured with apples. 



Determinations were made of the sterility and fertility of 87 varieties of 

 apples, out of which 59 varieties are classified as self-sterile, 15 varieties as self- 

 fertile, and 13 varieties as partially self-fertile. This work appears to confirm 

 the experience of Waite who found in similar work with apples that in the ma- 

 jority of cases no fruit resulted from self-pollination (E. S. R., 6, p. 47). Va- 

 rieties that are naturally self-fertile are abundantly able to fertilize their pistils 

 without artificial aid. Better results are obtained, however, when self-fertile 

 varieties are crossed with other varieties. 



Work was conducted to determine the best poUenizers for the Spitzenburg, 

 which is only partially self-fertile, and for commercial purposes should be cross- 

 pollinated. Sixteen varieties of apples were found to cross successfully with 

 this variety, of which the Yellow Newtown, Ortley, Arkansas Black, Jonathan, 

 Baldwin, and Red Cheek Pippin (Monmouth Pippin) are very promising. In 

 some cases immediate effects of foreign pollen on the color of the fruit seemed 

 perceptible. Spitzenburg crosses made by Jonathan pollen resembled the Jona- 

 than in color, and with Arkansas Black pollen, the crosses took on a darker 

 color. The above phase is to be further studied before conclusions are drawn. 

 As compared with the crossed apples, the self-pollinated Spitzenburgs were 

 inferior in size, ill shapeu, and practically devoid of i»Iump seeds. These dif- 

 ferences are indicated by a diagram and table. With an increase in the weight 

 of the crossed apple, there was a proportional increase in the weight of the 

 seeds. 



Crosses were made with the Yellow Newtown, a self-fertile variety, to determine 

 the possibilities of improving such a variety by cross pollination with other 

 varieties. As compared with the self-fertile fruits, the crosses invariably made 

 much larger and finer apples, although no perceptible difference was detected 

 between the quality, fiavor and color of the self-fertile and the cross-pollinated 

 fruits. Of the 18 varieties crossed with Yellow Newtown, a few such as Spitz- 

 enburg, Jonathan, and Grimes Golden gave excellent results. The authors point 



