O-iG EXPERIMENT STATION SECOED. [Voi. 38 



"The daily growth was more or less erratic each season, i. e., not following 

 consistently any external factor under observation. The growth curve follows 

 the air temperature more closely, however, than any other external factor re- 

 corded. There is no close correlation between the humidity curve and growth 

 curve. It is not possible to control the separate factors under field conditions. 

 These conclusions are based on 4.3,000 measui'ements during three seasons. 



" The growth Is much more readily affected by external factors in the early 

 period of its grov.-th than when it is approaching the resting period. The grand 

 period of growth in this orchard was a period of about 2.5 days (3 years con- 

 sidered)." The "grand period" as here used refers to the period in which 

 practically all the growth is made, beginning somewhere between May 20 and 25 

 and practically ceasing the latter part of June. 



[Orchard cover crops]. H. A. Morgan {Tetmessee Sta. Rpt. 1915, p. 116). — 

 Experiments conducted at the west Tennessee station with Japan clover as an 

 orchard legume for summer and winter cover indicate that Japan clover taxes 

 too heavily the water supply of a young orchard to permit growing it close to 

 the tree. It is killed by the first freezes in the fall, the heavy growth dries 

 rapidly, and there is grave danger from fire during the winter months. This 

 winter mulch offers acceptable quarters for field mice and rabbits. On the other 

 hand, it is an excellent plant to prevent erosion of orchard soils. It reseeds 

 itself and until the excessive growth is sufficient to smother the very young 

 plants one seeding may be sufficient for years. The rapid accumulation of 

 nitrogen and its effect upon the trees after the second year soon outweighs the 

 tax of the clover upon the water supply when the trees were younger. The ex- 

 tremely matted growth prevents the growth of crab grass and summer weeds. 



From the results of this experiment it is concluded that " Japan clover should 

 be grown for two years prior to the setting of an apple orchard upon the orange 

 sand lands of west Tennessee. The crop of the second year should be turned 

 under in September and well worked into the soil prior to the setting out of 

 the orcliard in December or later. For two years succeeding, crimson clover 

 sown in August should be grown as winter and spring cover, and the ground 

 cultivated from May until August. For two years succeeding, and longer, 

 Japan clover may be grown, until the shade of tlie large trees prevents profitable 

 growth. " 



Everbearing strawberries, G. M. Darrow (U. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 

 901 (1917), pp. 19, figs. 7). — This publication deals with the special cultural 

 practices that have been developed in the production of varieties of strawlierries 

 that fruit during the summer and autumn. Introductory considerations deal 

 with the desirability of everbearing sorts of strawberries, origin, and charac- 

 teristics and adaptation. Information is then given relative to soils, fertilizers, 

 time of planting, planting systems, distance of planting, removing blossoms and 

 runners, tillage, mulching, duration of a plantation, harvesting, yields, and 

 varieties. 



Currant growing an important, promising industry for California, G. C. 

 HusMANN {Cal. Fruit Netos, 57 {WIS), No. 15J,2, p. i).— As a result of viti- 

 cultural investigations conducted by the U. S. Department of Agriculture for a 

 number of years the chief difficulties that have previously prevented the suc- 

 cessful culture of the dark-colored commercial currants in California have been 

 overcome. 



It is necessary that the vines be grafted on resistant stocks congenial to them 

 and suited to the soil and other conditions in which grown. Congenial and re- 

 sistant stocks have been found for important soil types in the grape districts. 

 It is also necessary to incise or decorticate the vines when they are in bloom 

 to produce a full setting and maturing of the fruit, and to produce fruit of the 



