HORTICULTURE. 943 



References to recent work in plant breeding, C. Fruwirth (Jour. Landic, 

 55 (1907), No. 4, pp. 339-35Jf). — References are given to 40 articles and publi- 

 cations reporting work in plant breeding or discussing this subject. 



HORTICULTUEE. 



Horticultural work at the Canada experiment stations, W. T. Macoun, R. 

 KoitRTsox, N. WoLVERTON, A. Mackay, aiid T. A. Sharpe (Canada Expt. 

 J'arms Rpts. 1906, pp. 97-121, 126-128, 133-1J,7, 298-301, 32.',-333, 357-370, 389- 

 .'i06, pis. 2). — The usual annual report on culture experiments and variety tests 

 with a large number of orchard and small fruits, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, 

 and trees grown on the different experimental farms in Canada, together with 

 considerable general information relating to work at each of the stations. The 

 data are similar in nature to those reported in previous years (E, S. R., IS, 140). 



At the Central farm, W. T. Macoun reports the effect of the unusual winter 

 of 1905-6 as very marked on vegetation. Practically all strawberry plants in 

 that vicinity were destroyed even when well mulched. Considerable damage 

 is also reported to herbaceous perennials, deciduous trees, and shrubs, includ- 

 ing fruit trees and bushes. Forty-seven seedling varieties of apples and 1 seed- 

 ling pear were received for examination in 1906. Full descriptions are given 

 of the most promising varieties, with briefer notes on those of no especial 

 merit. Out of 3,000 seedling apples of Russian origin planted out in 1890 and 

 gradually reduced to 75 and tested in the prairie provinces for hardiness and 

 size, 59 have been considered sufficiently promising to name. Thus far only 4 

 compare favorably with the best named varieties of their season. Two thousand 

 seedlings originating from the best named varieties fruited at Ottawa have been 

 planted out since 1901. One hundred and five of these seedlings fruited in 1906, 

 some of which it is believed are superior to some of the named sorts of the 

 same season. Descriptions are given of a large number of the most promising 

 seedlings and cross-bred apples fruited at the station, including 4 crosses of 

 McMahan with Scott Winter produced by J. Craig. 



The conclusions reached after 19 years' experience and search for a hardy 

 winter apple of good appearance and best quality are given. Briefly sum- 

 marized, it is stated that the hardiest apples are those which have originated 

 in Russia. Varieties originating in milder climates have proved more tender. 

 Summer and autumn varieties are hardier than later-keeping sorts. The ma- 

 jority of winter apples which have thus far been produced are not apt to prove 

 hardy in the colder apple districts of Canada because the trees, having origi- 

 nated where the season is longer, grow too late for the short season in those 

 districts. The basis for the production of the desired winter apple for the North 

 is believed to be in varieties which have withstood test winters in the North, 

 and have wood which ripens comparatively early, and fruit which though fit 

 to eat early in the winter will last all winter with good care. 



Owing to the interest aroused in regard to seedless apples, the present infor- 

 mation relative to seedless apples in Canada, and the Spencer seedless in par- 

 ticular, is given. 



The results of fruit variety tests In eastern Quebec are brought up to date in 

 a paper by J, C. Chapais, Based on variety tests of vegetables at the Central 

 farm for the past 18 years a list is given of the varieties of each kind considered 

 best to plant. Tabulated data showing the results of variety and itruning ex- 

 I)erinients with tomatoes are given. Strains of tomato seed saved at the station 

 during the past 3 seasons from the earliest tomatoes ripened li.-ive i)roved earlier 

 every season than plants from seed obtained elsewhere. A tabulated list with 



