HORTICULTURE. 



1041 



that a second test of one-year-old roots "was made. In this fewer trees 

 were used, and Mcintosh was substituted for Elberta. 



• One tree from each row was dug up, the roots freed from dirt, and 

 photographed. 



The assertion that the new root system will penetrate almost per- 

 pendicularly downward is not supported by these experiments. It is 

 possible, however, that in more sandy ground the roots would assume 

 a more nearly perpendicular direction. In the second experiment the 

 best growth, both aerial and underground, was found in the rows which 

 had been pruned to 4-in. taps and 1-in. tap planted in dibble holes. 

 Observations upon the roots of two years' growth in the first experi- 

 ment are given in the following table: 



Roots after two years' growth. 



Average 



diameter 



of root 



system. 



1 Ft. In. 



1-inch club 8 



2-inch club 7 



4-inch tap 7 6 



4-inch club 8 



Pruned only where broken 10 1 



Roots unpruned - 9 1 



1-inch tap planted in dibble hole ' 10 10 



1-inch tap planted in normal bole , 11 3 



Weight. 



Pounds. 



5.93 



7.47 



8.68 



10.66 



14.30 



11.04 



8.04 



8.95 



D ^|S 0f Diameter 

 syTten, <"• — 



Inches. 

 19.0 

 20.0 

 18.0 

 15.5 

 17.5 

 15.0 

 20.5 

 19.3 



Inches. 



In all cases the taps were pruned to 18 in. The best and finest root 

 systems were found in the trees pruned to 1-in. tap and planted in dib- 

 ble or normal hole. The weight and diameter of stem was less than in 

 others, but the roots penetrated much deeper. The whole root system 

 had more fibrous laterals. 



The apples and cherries were examined at the end of the second 

 season, and the difference between the unpruned and closely pruned 

 roots was found much more pronounced. The latter made fewer, larger, 

 and more robust roots, penetrating to a depth of 17 £ in. The former 

 made a mass of small laterals, penetrating to only 9A in. The author 

 is fairly satisfied that peach, apple, and cherry trees primed by the 

 Stringfellow method will live and flourish in his section of Georgia, 

 even in stiff soil and under adverse meteorological conditions. 



Orchard notes, F. S. Earle (Alabama College Sta. Bid. 98, j>j>. 263- 

 277). — Notes are given on the possibilities of successful apple culture 

 in Alabama. An orchard of about 45 varieties was planted on the 

 station grounds in 1885. Of these 24 varieties are enumerated which 

 have proved healthy and fairly vigorous in that locality. The following 

 provisional list covering a range of seasons is suggested: Early Har- 

 vest, Eed Astrachan, Carter Blue, Limbertwig, York Imperial, Shock- 

 ley, Eed June, Horse, Ben Davis, Winesap, and Yates. " The two 

 most serious enemies to profitable apple growing so far encountered 

 are the various summer rots that attack the green fruit on the tree and 



