HORTICULTURE. 133 



The physiological action of zinc is briefly discussed. The salts are 

 considered but slightly poisonous, and then only in large doses. The 

 question of substituting other material for galvanized iron wire in the 

 manufacture of trays has received attention, and the use of aluminum- 

 wire netting or i^erforated sheets of aluminum is suggested. Trial 

 evaporations with aluminum-bottomed trays have proved satisfactory- 

 It is not believed that evaporated apples contain sufficient zinc to 

 produce the deleterious results feared in Germany, yet it is urged that 

 to avoid further complaint the galvanized iron wire on which apples 

 are now evaporated be replaced by some substance not readily acted 

 upon by apple juices, or not poisonous if taken up by them. 



Experiments \vith new orchard fruits, trees, and shrubs, J. L. 

 BuDD {Iowa Sta. Bid. 31, pp. 325-358, dgm. 1). — This consists of brief 

 descriptive notes on the native and foriegn varieties of orchard and 

 small fruits and ornamental trees tested at the station. Notes are 

 given on the fruit of 10 summer, 17 autumn, and 27 winter varieties of 

 apples, 14 of i)ears, 25 of cherries, 11 of native and 12 of foreign plums, 

 4 of prunes, and 1 of apricots. Notes are given on the culture of the 

 various fruits grown at the station, and, in addition, directions are 

 included for the winter protection of peach trees by laying them flat 

 uj)on the ground in late fall and covering them with straw and earth. 



Spraying fruits ; strawberries ; grapes, J. T. Stinson {ArJcansas 

 Sta. Bui. 39, pp. 17-34, Jigs. 3). 



Spraying fruits (pp. 17-22). — This article discusses the results obtained 

 in spraying for apple scab, bitter rot, api)le skin blotch {Leptothyrum 

 pomi), some grape diseases, and strawberry leaf blight. The treat- 

 ment was of advantage in all cases, and in several instances all injury 

 was avoided. Bordeaux mixture was used. The causes of failure from 

 spraying are discussed and are believed to be due to improper prepara- 

 tion of the mixtures, to lack of thoroughness in spraying, and to 

 spraying in wet weather when the rains soon wash oft" the mixture. 



The results are given of exi^eriments in spraying apple trees in the 

 orchard of one of the fruit growers of the State to prevent apple scab 

 and apple skin blotch, the latter being wholly prevented by 3 applica- 

 tions of Bordeaux mixture. The yield from sprayed trees was over 3 

 times that obtained from the unsprayed check trees, and the apples 

 averaged larger. In addition, the foliage was much more thrifty and 

 remained on the trees later in the season. 



Strawherries (pp. 22-25). — Notes on the strawberries grown at the 

 station. From 100 varieties now being cultivated brief descriptive 

 notes are given for 15 of the most desirable varieties. Reports are 

 included on some of the leading varieties in various sections of the 

 State. 



Orapes (pp. 26-34). — This consists of a descriptive list of 81 varieties 

 growing in the station vineyard, the botanical species from which each 

 variety is derived being indicated. 



