946 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



fruits about 1,000 acres. The total acreage of all fruits for 1906 is estimated 

 at about 300,000 acres, which is said to represeut about 0.5 per cent of the 

 total area and not quite 1 per cent of the cultivated area of Great Britain. 



Fruit varieties most popular on the Pacific slope, E. J. Wickson (Bien. 

 Rpt. Conir. Hart. Cal.,2 {1905-6), pp. 388-391). — The author sent out an inquiry 

 to a large number of correspondents with the view of ascertaining the varie- 

 ties of different fruits considered best by each. A large number of nursery- 

 men were also requested to name the varieties which were considered best 

 to propagate for sale. 



In an extensive list here given the varieties of apples, apricots, cherries, 

 grapes, pears, peaches, plums, and prunes preferred by growers in California, 

 Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Idaho are compared with those varieties pre- 

 ferred for propagation and sale by California nurseries. The varieties are 

 arranged in order of their preference. 



The renovation of worn-out orchards, U. P. Hedrick (New Yofk State Sta. 

 Circ. 6, n. ser., pp. Ji ; reprinted in New York State Sta. Rpt. 1906, pp. 449-^52). — 

 In this circular the various causes of deterioration in orchards are briefly dis- 

 cussed. Popular directions are given for orchard renewal work, these including 

 a reduction of the number of trees, thorough pruning, draining and fertilizing 

 the soil, removal of old and diseased portions of the tree, spraying, proper 

 cultivation, and tl-e use of cover crops. 



Utilization of the surplus banana crop, F. H. D'Herelle {Bol. Oflc. Sec. 

 Agr. Cuba, 3 (1901), No. 3, pp. 2-il-2Ji3). — The possibilities of using a surplus 

 banana crop for the preparation of dried bananas, preserved bananas, and 

 banana flour are discussed. In the author's opinion they can be most profitably 

 used for the i)roduction of fermented spirits. 



Peach culture, F. A. Waugh (Agr. of Mass. 1906, pp. Ji>i6-.'i56) . — Popular 

 directions are given for the cultivation of ])eaches in' Massachusetts. The 

 various phases treated include soils and exposures, planting and i)lanting dis- 

 tances, cultivation, fertilizers, pruning, diseases and other dilficulties, and the 

 methods of handling the crop. 



Lists of varieties recommended for different purposes are given and the most 

 popular old sorts, as well as the most promising new ones, are described. 



Cranberry culture, L. J. Fosdick (Agr. of Mass. 1906, pp. Ji37-4Ji5). — Popular 

 instructions are given for the various phases of cranberry culture, including 

 the selection of the site, turfing, drainage, the water supply, sanding, planting, 

 varieties, cultivation, irrigation, construction of dikes and i*eservoirs, and the 

 storehouse, fall and winter treatment of the bog, harvesting, packing, and 

 shipping. 



Chemical experiments with grapevines, E. Zacharewicz (Rev. Vit., 2& 

 (1907), No. 722, pp. Ji29-433).— In continuation of previous work (E. S. R., 12, 

 p. 852), experiments were conducted on different soils in the dejiartment of 

 Yaucluse, in which nonnitrogenous fertilizers were compared with nitrogenous 

 fertilizers and with no fertilizers. The results of these experiments, which 

 cover for the most part the period from 1899 to 1905, inclusive, are tabulated. 

 Practically the same conclusions wei*e reached as in the work previously noted. 



Nitrate of soda in connection with sulphate of potash and superphosphate of 

 lime gave advantageous results during the 8 years in increasing the yield, 

 hastening maturity, and giving a higher sugar content. The action of the 

 nitrogen in the nitrate of soda on the vegetative growth and the formation of 

 fruit did not appear to be hindered by drought, as was the case with the 

 nitrogen from organic sources. 



In order to obtain the best results the author recommends that the sulphate 

 of potash and superphosphate of lime be broadcasted and turned under as soon 



