142 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOKD. [Vol. 38 



HORTICULTURE. 



Horticultural statutes of the State of California (Sacramento, Cal.: State, 

 1917, pp. m, pi. i).— This booklet contains the text of the various California 

 statutes and quarantine orders relating to horticulture, corrected to August 

 1, 1917. A list of State and county horticultural officers is included. 



[Variety tests of veg'etables and fruits] {Minnesota Sta., Rpt. Grand Rapids 

 Substa., 1916, pp. J/5-57, figs. If). — The relative yields are given of varieties of 

 vegetables being tested, together with data on the condition of fruit varieties 

 planted in the new orchard. Varieties of small fruits under observation are 

 also listed. As a result of the vegetable tests the varieties are arranged in 

 order based both on quality and yield. 



Celery storage experiments, H. 0. Thompson (U. S. Dcpt. Agr. Bui. 579 

 (1917), pp. 26, figs. 10). — Experiments conducted by the author during the four 

 seasons 1912-13 to 1915-16 and here described in detail indicate that it would 

 be advantageous to cut down the standard celery crate, which approximates 

 24 in. In width and length, to at least 14 in. in width, thereby reducing the 

 amount of decay in storage and the amount of injury to celei'y froiu broken 

 crates. Actual tests show that celery in small crates sold for a much higher 

 price than similar celery in standard crates handled in exactly the same way. 



Observations made in the cold storage houses showed a much larger propor- 

 tion of decay for celery in the top tier of the crates at the end of the storage 

 period than in the lower tiers. The variation in keeping quality of celery in 

 the different tiers was greater where the standard crate was used than where 

 smaller crates were used. As a general rule both air temperature and celery 

 temperature increased with the distance above the floor of the storage house. 

 In many instances when the thermometers registered 32° F. within 4 ft. of the 

 floor the temperature was 35 to 36° near the ceiling. The author is of the opin- 

 ion that thermometers should be placed at various heights in the storage room 

 and in the corners as well as in the passageways. Where there is much 

 variation in temperature in different parts of the room the air should be set in 

 motion. 



Improving Grand Rapids lettuce, S. N. Green (Mo. Bvl. Ohio Sta., 2 (1917), 

 No. 9, pp. 308-312, figs. 3). — The author discusses the history and character- 

 istics of the open-headed variety of lettuce, Grand Rapids, and briefly reviews 

 the station's work in improving the variety. 



Continued selection has resulted in two improved strains, one of which, the 

 Ohio Grand Rapids, is noteworthy for its increased \\ eight and increased seed 

 production as compared with commercial strains. 



Some suggestions are given relative to methods of producing lettuce seed. 



Fresh tomatoes and tomato conserves, S. Mondini (Bui. Uffic. Assoc. Ort. 

 Prof. Itnl., 5 (1917), No. 10-11. pp. 154-158).— A statistical summary of the 

 tomato and tomato product Industry in Italy, including data on the export 

 trade from 1913 to 1916. 



[Fruits and ornamentals on the Huntley reclamation project], D. Hansen 

 (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Plant Indus., Work Huntley Expt. Farm, 1916, pp. 23, 

 24, fig. 1). — Notes are given on the condition with reference to hardiness of a 

 number of varieties of fruit trees, ornamental trees, and shrubs being tested 

 on the project, including a list of varieties of apples and ornamentals that 

 appeared to be suited to the conditions. 



Fruit growing in the Federal District, A. Caibe (Bol. Min. Agr., Indus, e 

 Com. [Brazil], 5 (1916), No. 3, pp. ^-69).— Notes are given on kinds of fruit 

 grown and those adapted for culture in the Federal District, Brazil. 



