1917] HORTICULTURE. 237 



soil temperature so much as to offset the increased moisture conservation. Cauli- 

 flower was the only crop which showed any improvement, the yield and quality 

 of heads being considerably better on mulched plats. Plants on mulched plats 

 suffered much more from the frosts of late spring and early fall. The work is 

 to be continued in other sections of the State where conditions are hotter and 

 drier than at the station. 



The work on premature seeding of celery was continued. Seedlings started 

 February 2 and set in the field June 17 produced 64 per cent of seed stalks, 

 while seedlings started March 2 and set in the field June 17 produced only 15 

 per cent. Soil made very rich with well-rotted manure increased the percentage 

 of seed stalks in the case of early planting about 20, as compared with plants 

 in good average greenhouse soil. Moving the plants of the early planting to 

 cold frames early, where their growth was checked by cool temperatures, in- 

 creased the amount of seed stalks by 30 per cent. A severe trimming of the tops 

 at transplanting time also had a tendency to increase the number of seed stalks. 



Variety tests with cabbage, cauliflower, and onions are briefly noted. 



At the horticultural substation in the Bitter Root Valley apple trees in plats 

 which have been in clover two years out of each three-year period since the 

 orchard was planted have not only made the best growth, but have produced the 

 most fruit. During the eight years of growth the trees on clean cultivated plats 

 have not only produced less fruit and less growth, but are now in very bad con- 

 dition due to lack of soil fertility. Most of the varieties of apples suffering the 

 previous year from blight were again seriously affected. The Wealthy variety 

 has shown the greatest susceptibility at the crown of the tree and just below the 

 surface of the ground. It would appear that this variety must be worked on 

 some resistant stock if it is to be planted commercially. Vanderpool Red gives 

 promise of becoming a good commercial variety for such altitudes as that of the 

 Bitter Root Valley. Of the sour cherries under test, Dyehouse and Baldwin 

 appear to be the best early ones and Morello and Wragg the best late ones. 



Tests conducted at the Judith Basin substation have demonstrated that even 

 in the nonirrigated sections of Montana a good collection of ornamental trees 

 and shrubs can be grown. 



Notes on the newer varieties, P. Thayer (Ohio State Hort. Soc. Ann. Rpt., 

 49 {1916), pp. 45-49). — This comprises notes on the newer varieties of orchard 

 and small fruits under observation at the Ohio Experiment Station. 



Do we need new varieties of commercial fruits? E. J. Wickson {Trans, 

 and Proc. Cat. Assoc. Nurserymen, 5 {1915), pp. 4^-50). — In this paper the 

 author calls attention to some weaknesses of present varieties of commercial 

 fruits and suggests qualities which should be sought for in producing new 

 varieties. 



Five years' experiments in orchard fertilization, F. H. Ballou {Ohio 

 State Hort. Soc. Ann. Rpt., 49 {1916), pp. 94-103).— An abridged report of in- 

 vestigations previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 40). 



Pruning investigations, V. R. Gardner, J. R. Magness, and A. F. Yeager 

 (Oregon Sta. Buh 139 (1916), pp. 92, figs. 99).— This bulletin reports the fol- 

 lowing pruning studies conducted at the station : 



The early summer pruning of young apple trees, V. R. Gardner (pp. 3-45). — 

 Preliminary experiments started by C. I. Lewis and E. J. Kraus of the station 

 in 1910 showed that early summer pruning of young apple trees aided in the 

 development of the framework of the trees and stimulated fruit spur formation. 

 The present investigation was started in 1912 to find out to what extent this 

 is the case and how the earlier bearing condition is brought about. Some of 

 the trees in the experimental orchard received no pruning, some were pruned 

 in the ordinary way late in the dormant season, and others were similarl.y 

 78786°— No. 3—17 4 



