HORTICULTURE. 7 5 1 



HORTICULTURE. 



A comparison of the "Station" tomato -with three standard 

 varieties, E. S. Goff ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 303-306). — This 

 tomato was produced by crossing the French Upright or Tree Tomato 

 with the Alpha, and has been developed by the author since 1883. 

 Tables are given showing the comparative yield, earliness, and percent- 

 age weight of seeds of the Station, Dwarf Champion, Acme, and Nichol 

 Stone varieties. The advantages claimed for the Station tomato are 

 the superior earliness, productiveness, and freedom from decay of the 

 fruit; and the compactness, stockiness, and hardiness of the plants. 



On the structure of the epidermal layer and the cause of the 

 varying keeping qualities of pomaceous fruits, A. Zschokke 

 (Landw. Jdhro. Schweiz, 11 (1897), pp. 153-196, pis. 2). — The author 

 states that the keeping qualities of fruit are determined by both mechan- 

 ical and chemical conditions. Chief among the former are the number 

 of stomata, lenticels, and abrasions in the epidermis by which fungi 

 gain access to the flesh of the fruit. The principal chemical conditions 

 are the presence of acids and tannin which generally hinder or prevent 

 fungus growth. Keeping quality in the more restricted use of the 

 term is, however, dependent mostly on physiological conditions and 

 processes within the fruit. The causes of rotting, dotting, aud water 

 core of apples and soft overripeness of the pear are discussed. 



The application of artificial root pressure to recently trans- 

 planted trees, E. S. Goff ( Wisconsin Sta. Rpt. 1897, pp. 272-282, 

 figs. 4). — The author reports experiments in the application of water 

 pressure to the roots of trees as a means of promoting the starting of 

 their buds and thereby preventing failure in transplanting. A small 

 quantity of distilled water was supported at a height equal to or 

 slightly exceeding that of the tree, and connected by a tube with the 

 cut end of one of the roots of the tree. The effect of the water pres- 

 sure was often very quickly noticed, sometimes within 48 hours. Pres- 

 sure was applied in the latter part of May, 189G, to a small, purple 

 beech tree which had been planted in April but had shown no indica- 

 tion of opening its buds. Six days later the buds had opened suffi- 

 ciently to show the leaves plainly. In the Middle of May water 

 pressure was applied to a tree of the City plum which had been planted 

 nearly a month previous. Several leaf buds had opened but had been 

 dried up by hot, dry weather. A week after the pressure was applied 

 many buds which had not opened" before began to swell, and in about 

 another week the leaves were pushing out vigorously. 



In the spring of 1897, 20 Whitney crab apple trees were planted in 

 rather poor, dry soil. During the 4 days preceding planting, the roots 

 were exposed to the air but protected from the rain and snow. The trees 

 were planted in the latter part of April without special care, and water 

 pressure was applied to a root of each alternate tree. In one week after 

 planting the buds on the trees supplied with water pressure began to 

 open, and in 2 weeks every tree thus treated was starting well. During 



