138 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOED. [Vol.36 



of a rust-proof asparagus that have been conducted for several years by J. B. 

 Norton (E. S. R., 26, p. 44) indicate that a number of strains of asparagus have 

 been developed which possess both excellent commercial characteristics and in 

 very high degree the capacity to resist attacks of rust. Roots and seeds of these 

 strains are being teste<l by different growers. 



A brief account, together with a summary of results and conclusions, is 

 given of fertilizer experiments with asparagus, C. W. Prescott in charge. A 

 study of the yields and conditions affecting all the fertilizer plats leads to the 

 conclusion that the application of nitrate of soda results in a large increase in 

 the crop. On the light soils where the experiments were conducted nitrate 

 of soda at the rate of 450 lbs. per acre appears to give a more profitable increase 

 in crop, when used in connection with materials supplying abundant potash and 

 phosphoric acid in available forms, than where a larger quantity is used. No 

 definite results have been secured thus far relative to the best season to apply 

 nitrate of soda when used in connection with fertilizers supplying phosphoric 

 acid and potash. 



In the experiments in question acid phosphate at the rate of 450 lbs. per acre 

 and muriate of potash at the rate of 262 lbs. per acre have given the best 

 results in combination with nitrate of soda. Muriate of potash appears to be 

 the best source of potash for the asparagus grower. Although rust has not been 

 prevalent during the past three years, observations made by two different ob- 

 servers working independently indicate that the application of nitrate of soda 

 at the close of the cutting season promotes a vigorous growth and seems to in- 

 crease the capacity of the foliage to resist rust. This appears to be true whether 

 the nitrate is applied one-half in the early spring and the balance at the close 

 of the cutting season or all at the close of the cutting season. 



De Vriesian mutation in the garden bean, Phaseolus vulgaris, J. A. Harris 

 (Proc. Nat. Acad. Set., 2 (1916), No. 6, pp. 317, 318).— In this note the author 

 describes a race of beans now under cultivation at the Station for Experimental 

 Evolution, Cold Spring Harbor, N. Y., in which the whole morphological organi- 

 zation of the seedling has apparently been changed. The new race is also 

 characterized by a high degree of variability. The origin of this race is at- 

 tributed to de Vriesian mutation (E. S. R., 22, p. 625). 



Marketing and distribution of western muskmelons in 1915, O. W. 

 ScHLEUssNER and C. W. Kitchin (17. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 4OI (1916), pp. 38, fig. 

 1). — In connection with a general study relative to the grading, packing, and 

 marketing of cantaloups (E. S. R., 34, pp. 340, 737) a more detailed study was 

 made of marketing conditions in the irrigated districts of the West. The results 

 of this study are given in the present bulletin. Each region is considered in 

 connection with the history of the industry, marketing arrangements, possibili- 

 ties of cooperation, and quality and distribution of the crop. Charts are also 

 given showing the distribution of western muskmelons in all markets in 1915, 

 together with net returns to the growers. 



The melons on the market in Paris, J. M. Buisson (Compt. Rend, Acad. Agr. 

 France, 2 (1916), No. 32, pp. 940-9^5). — The varieties of melons cultivated in 

 the south of France are described. 



[Some results of horticultural investigations] (Calif ornia Sta. Rpt. 1916, 

 pp. U-46, 47, 58, 59, 61 ) . — A brief statement is given of some of the results of 

 horticultural investigations at the station that have a more or less direct bear- 

 ing on the horticultural industries of the State. 



Studies of the oil content of avocados conducted by M. E. Jaffa emphasize 

 the desirability of allowing the fruit to become as mature as possible before 

 marketing in order to increase the fat content The fat content at maturity 

 varied from a maximum of 27 per cent to a minimum of 5 per cent, thus show- 



