650 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Experiments in heavy pruning in Assam, H. H. Mann {Indian Tea Assoc. 

 [Pamphlet^ 3, 1907, pp. 20, pis. 3).— lu the seasons of 1900-1901 and 1901-2 a 

 series of experiments were instituted by tlie author both to determine the best 

 means of dealing with old and more or less deteriorated tea and to ascertain 

 the comparative value of methods of pruning. The experiments were con- 

 ducted by cooperators in 4 different gardens and the report is here given of 

 the results secured for a period of 5 years. The value of light pruning, medium 

 pruning, heavy and collar pruning, and replanting were compared in each case. 

 The experiments are described in detail and the results are tabulated. 



As a result of these experiments the following general conclusions are 

 reached: Heavy pruning appears to be an injury to the bush, since although 

 the immediate effect may be stimulating, the bushes are more difficult to treat, 

 more liable to injury, and more apt to deteriorate than before heavy pruning 

 was carried out. This method of pruning is not advised unless to correct 

 initial bad pruning or where the lower stems are seriously injured. In this 

 case it is reconnnended that the weaker plants of this kind be removed abso- 

 lutely and rei)laced with new 2-year-old i)lants. 



It is believed that much of the apparent benefit of low i>r collar pruning can 

 be obtained by judicious cleaning out of the weak abortive shoots in the bush 

 and concentrating its strength in a smaller number of shoots for the time being. 

 A careful cleaning out of the bad and weak wood seems to give every benefit 

 of medium pruning without the same temporarj- loss in yield, and at the sain*' 

 time leaves a better bush at the end of 5 years. 



When the cleaning out of weak wood is not adequate for tlu> rejuvenation 

 of the bushes, the main framework of the bush should be thinned out rather 

 than resort to middle pruning. Where land is manured well it often appears 

 possil)le to render heavy pruning unnecessary, and on poor land heavy pruning 

 is an ultimate failure. 



Variations produced among' roses, L. Daniel (Compt. Rend. Acad. .S'ci. 

 [Paris], IJ/Jf (1901), No. 25, pp. V,51-lJ,o3; Rev. Hort. [Paris], 79 {1907), No. 

 15, pp. 356, 357). — The author claims to have produced some systematic varia- 

 tions in the nature and color of rose petals by means of grafting. The bush 

 of the Rainbow, a variety which produces variegated flowers, is said to have 

 produced a shoot bearing non variegated roses which every year present some 

 new changes in form and color difficult to fix. Changes of form and color in 

 the petals of other varieties are also described. 



FORESTRY. 



The waning hardwood supply and the Appalachian forests, W. L. Hall 

 {U. 8. Deq)t. Agr., Forest Serv. Circ. 116, pp. 16, fig. 1). — In this circular con- 

 siderable data are given showing the decline in hardwood stands in the United 

 States, including the condition as shown by the various kinds of timber, by 

 States, and in the main regions of production. The effects of a hardwood 

 shortage on several important industries, including the manufacture of hard- 

 wood lumber, cooperage stock, furniture, musical instruments, vehicles, agri- 

 cultural implements, car building, railroad ties, telephime and other jioles, and 

 house finishing are discussed, and a diagram is given showing the advance 

 in prices of some of the principal hardwoods during the past 8 years, as well 

 as the range of prices since 1887. 



Although the hardwood industries center in the States of Illinois, Indiana, 

 Ohio, Michigan, and New York, it is shown that the situation concerns the en- 

 tire country, and in the author's opinion the only practical solution " is to 

 maintain permanently under a i)roper system of forestry a sufficient area of 



