236 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



HORTICULTURE. 



The artificial retarding of plants, P. Noel (Naturaliste [Paris], 2. scr., 31 

 (1909), No. 52.'f, pp. 11, 12). — The author, who lives in Normanclie, had a six- 

 year old plantation of several varieties of plums such as the Boston, Satsniua, 

 Kelsey, etc., which flowered freely every year, but failed to form fruits owing 

 to the frost in early May. A hole 16 in. deep was therefore bored in the ground 

 in the neighborhood of the roots, ether was poured in, and the hole closed. 

 After this root-etherization the trees flowered two weeks later than usual, 

 escaped the late frosts, and set abundant fruits. 



Unsuccessful attempts were made to anesthetize the trees by causing the 

 ether to evaporate within a box surrounding the truidv of the tree, also by 

 allowing ether to be absorbed through a hole iu the base of the tree. The 

 author concludes that the beneficial effects of ether in retarding growth are due 

 to a refreezing of the soil through rapid evaporation of the ether, rather than 

 through its anesthetic properties. 



Fertilizer experiments with vegetables in the vicinity of Milan, A. 

 Menozzi and E. GRiJNER (Ric. Lab. Chim. Agr. R. Sciiala Hup. Agr. MUano, 3 

 (1908), pp. 15-1/7). — A detailed account is given of cooperative fertilizer experi- 

 ments with vegetables conducted iu the vicinity of Milan, Italy. The general 

 conclusions reached are tbat chemical fertilizers are more successful both as to 

 yield and profit than sewage, their comi)osition is more reliable, they are more 

 easily applied, and they are better from a sanitary standpoint. 



Cabbage growing on the irrigated lands of Colorado, E. R. Bennett 

 (Colorado Sta. Bui. 143, pp. 3S, flgs. //). — This bulletin contains a detailed 

 account of cabbage growing in Colorado under irrigated conditions. The follow- 

 ing phases are discussed: History of the industry, soil, climate, soil preparation, 

 l)lanting, irrigation, harvesting, insect i)ests and diseases, cost of growing and 

 profits, markets, storing, and varieties. 



Celery growing in Colorado, li. J. Reid {Colorado 81a. BuL Ui'i, pp. 3-12, 

 figs. 6). — A detailed account of celery growing under irrigated conditions in 

 Colorado, including a discussion of soils, preparation of the land, varieties, 

 seed, seed bed and planting practices, cultivation, irrigation, blanching, storing, 

 harvesting and marketing, the cost of growing, and diseases and difficulties in 

 growing. 



Onions, A. McMeans (Ann. Rpt. Ontario Vcg. Growers' Assoc, If {1908), 

 pp. 13-35, figs. 22). — A report on the extent and nature of onion growing in 

 Ontario, including considerable information relative to cultural methods em- 

 ployed in different sections of the United States. 



Fruit culture in Crimea, ,J. Barsacq {Bui. Mens. Off. Renseig. Agr. [Paris], 

 8 {1909), Nos. 3, pp. 303-315; J,, pp. 458-467).— A supplemental account to that 

 previously noted on this subject (E. S. R., 20, p. S3!)) discussing varieties, 

 methods and cost of culture, orchard management, disease and insects, and 

 fertilizers. 



Tillage, fertilizers, and shade crops for orchards, W. Paddock {Colorado 

 8ta. Bui. I.'i2. pp. 5-16, pi. 1). — This bulletin discusses the importance and 

 value of orchard tillage, fertilizers, and shade crops, the discussion being based 

 upon practices employed in Colorado as well as those advocated by investiga- 

 tors in other'parts of the country. 



The author maintains that, although the Colorado soils are fertile, they are 

 usually deficient in humus and that clean cultivation to the exclusion of all 

 cover crops as practiced by the majority of Colorado orchardists is likely to 

 be detrimental to the orchards, since the humus which the soil does contain 

 is apt to be burned out quickly when exposed to the action of the sunshine of 



