1038 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



econouiie value of a leguminous cover crop such as cowpeas is being compared 

 with nitrogen in the form of nitrate of soda, and couii)arative tests will also be 

 made of leguminous and nonleguminous cover crops. To obtain more immediate 

 results dwarf stocks have been used instead of standards, which will permit of 

 a study relative to the cultivation and value of dwarf apples. The varieties 

 included in this experiment are Bismarck, Baldwin, Duchess, Gravenstein, and 

 Jonathan, all grafted on Doucin stock. 



Asi)aragus seed from various sources was sown in the spring of 1906, with a 

 view to breeding a rust-proof variety. No rust has developed upon any of the 

 plants as yet, but rust has not been severe in the State for the past few years. 

 The importance of selecting the seed with reference to size and vigor of plant 

 and crowns has been brought out in this work. The differences in vigor of the 

 plants obtained from the seed from the various sources were very great. Some 

 good plants resulted from seed selected from rusted plants, whereas seed from 

 good plants surrounded by rusted plants generally produced small plants. Good 

 plants were obtained in all cases from the imported seed. 



Commercial melon growing', J. Troop and C. G. Woodbury {Indiana ^ta. Bui. 

 123, PI). 2). fltjs, 11). — This bulletin contains an account of the melon-growing 

 Industry of Indiana, with suggestions based both on experimental worlv and on 

 information collected in melon-growing localities relative to varieties, methods 

 of culture and marketing, insects, and diseases and their control, and consider- 

 able general information pertaining to the industry. There are several illus- 

 trations of cultural and packing operations and a table showing the number of 

 melons of different weights which can be loaded 4 deep in cars 34 and 36 ft. 

 long, respectively. 



The fig in Georgia, H. N. Starnes and J. F. Monroe {Georgia Sta. Bui. 77, 

 pp. J/l-lOl, fiffs. 102). — The first bulletin on this subject was issued about 4 years 

 ago (E. S. 11., 1.5, p. 968) and treated of cultural methods, inflorescence and 

 classification, leaf types, and varieties. Part 1 of the present bulletin treats of 

 the nomenclature and synonymy of the figs commonly grown in this country 

 and part 2 contains data bearing on Smyrna fig culture. 



With a view of obtaining more definite information relative to the identity 

 and characteristics of the various domesticated figs, the station has aimed to 

 cojlect cuttings of all listed varieties from different points in the South and 

 from California. Numerous cuttings of French and Italian varieties and cut- 

 tings of several varieties from the Chiswick collection in England were also 

 secured and are being grown. A list is given of this collection, showing the 

 source of the various cuttings. The system of classification of the figs commonly 

 grown in the South, while based on the form of the leaf as noted in the previous 

 report, has been revised. In the present classification the leaves are placed 

 under 2 types, the cordate type and the calcarasiate type. The latter type is 

 again divided into 4 groups, latate, lyrate, spatulate, and lineate. These 4 

 groups gradually merge each into the following one through intermediate or 

 transitional forms. The varieties are classified relative to their foliage, and de- 

 scriptive notes, with illustrations in many cases, are given of the domesticated 

 figs that have been actually tested at the station. 



AVith the view of determining the possibility of introducing and establishing 

 Smyrna fig culture in the South Atlantic and Gulf States plats have been 

 established of both the Smyrna fig and the Caprifig. The domesticated and 

 Smyrna figs and also the Caprifigs are classified and discussed relative to their 

 inflorescense, and an account is given of the life history of the Blastophaga 

 grossorum and the manner in which this insect fertilizes the Smyrna fig. 



From the work at the station thus far it appears that the variety classifica- 

 tion of the domestic fig is far from satisfactory. Many varieties received under 



