HORTICULTURE. 251 



" Phosphoric acid. — As the tables stand, the minimum amount of phosphoric acifl 

 in the ash was found in the fruit fertilized with superphosphate alone and the max- 

 imum amount where phosphoric acid and potash were used. But if we make the 

 calculation on an even weight instead of on even numbers of each sample, we obtain 

 very different and at the same time very suggestive results. 



''In the unfertilized lot we then find 4.73 lbs. of phosphoric acid in 1,000 lbs. of 

 the fruit; in that fertilized with superphosphate alone it is increased to 5.77 lbs., 

 thus indicating a lack of phosphates in the soil. Wheii nitrogen is supplied in the 

 lertilizer the maximum of 6.27 lbs. is reached, thus again showing, as above noted, 

 the need of nitrogen fertilization. 



" Potash — The maximum of potash in the ash was obtained in the lot from the 

 nitrogen fertilizer and the minimum in that of superphosphate; but, calculated per 

 1,000 lbs. of fruit, we find that the amount of potash in the ash is nearly the same 

 in that unfertilized and in that fertilized with potash alone, thus showing that 

 potash is not deficient in the soil." 



Ill continuation of previous work analyses were made of Washington 

 Navel and St. Michael oranges, grown at West Riverside, to study 

 the effect of potash on the fruit. All the fruits tested were produced 

 on soil which had received fertilizers containing phosphoric acid and 

 nitrogen. Part of the trees were also fertilized with muriate of 

 potash. The Navel oranges which were fertilized with potash had a 

 thinner rind and a lower average percentage of juice, as was the case 

 in the previous year's work. They also showed a lower percentage of 

 sugar in the juice, thus contradictiug the former conclusion that potash 

 increased the sugar content. The St. Michael oranges fertilized with 

 potash were smaller, thinner skinned, and more juicy than those not 

 so fertilized. There were practically no differences in sugar and acid 

 content between those fertilized with potash and those not fertilized. 



Report of injury to fruit trees during the winter of 1895-96, S. A. 

 Beach and 0. P. Close (New York State Sta. Rpt. 1896, pp. 408-439).— 

 An unusual amount of injury to fruit buds and fruit trees was caused by 

 the severe winter of 1895-96. Native plums and sour cherries were prac- 

 tically the only stone fruits which were not seriously injured. To learn 

 the relative hardiness of the different varieties of fruits cultivated in 

 the State, correspondence was carried on with fruit growers in all parts 

 of the State. Replies were received from 442 localities. The State was 

 divided into seven fruit districts, and each district is considered sepa- 

 rately in discussing the replies. Notes and tables are given showing 

 the varieties most frequently mentioned, the number of times each was 

 mentioned, and the least, greatest, and average percentages of injury 

 reported for each variety. 



Observations on cover crops for orchards, S. A. Beach and C. 

 P. Close (New York State Sta. Rpt. 1896, pp. 440-445, pis. 2).— The 

 advantages of cover crops for orchards are briefly noted and an account 

 is given of various cover crops grown in the station orchards in the 

 fall of 189G. The crops were sown August 1. Sainfoin proved unde- 

 sirable on account of its slowness in starting and its small growth. 

 Cowpeas made a good growth, but were killed by the first frost. 



