1918.] HORTICULTURE. 641 



tural projects, including some data on variety and cultural tests of orchard 

 and small fruits, nuts, and vegetables. 



Satisfactory progress was made in the work of impcoving the native chili 

 (E. S. R., 32, p. 635). In 1916 an acre was planted to No. 9, one of the best 

 varieties developed. The yield amounted to 10,965 lbs. of fresh red chili, or 

 2,676 lbs. after it was thoroughly dried and sacked. 



Report from the division of horticulture for the year ended March 31, 

 1916, W. T. Macoun et al. (Canada Expt. Farms Rpts. 1916, pp. 611-6/(2, 647- 

 701, 702-704, 706-721, 722-7S2, 736-765, 770-781, 783-788, 789-810, 813-817, 823- 

 847, 849-859, 860, 861, 862-871, 874-879, 881-901, 904-910, 912-915, 916-919, 927- 

 952, 955-985, 986-993, 994-997, pis. 9).— The usual progress report on breeding, 

 cultural, and variety experiments with fruits, vegetables, forest and orna- 

 mental trees, shrubs, and annual flowers, conducted at the Central Farm, 

 Ottawa, and at the various branch experimental farms and stations in Canada 

 (E. S. R., 36, p. 39). Most of the experimental work with apples has been 

 recorded in a recent bulletin of the experimental farms (E. S. R., 36, p. 742). 



At the Central Farm the yield behavior studies of Wealthy apple trees 

 grown from high-yielding and low-yielding parents failed to corroborate the 

 previous conclusion that the bearing habit of the parent tree had been per- 

 petuated. In 1915 the yield from the progeny of the poorest-yielding parent 

 far exceeded the yield from the progeny of the high-yielding parent. 



Orchard-heating experiments were continued during the year. The results 

 secured in conjunction with two previous seasons' results indicate that orchard 

 heaters may well be used for the purpose of preventing frosts in orchards. 

 They are not as satisfactory for protecting ground crops, such as strawberries. 

 A preliminary experiment with cheesecloth covers was conducted with straw- 

 berries. By suspending cheesecloth at a foot above the ground differences of 

 from 4 to 6° in night temperature were obtained. The cover was more 

 effective if removed during the day, thus giving the soil a better opportunity 

 to absorb the sunlight. 



Data are given on a comparative test of Bordeaux, lime-sulphur, and soluble 

 sulphur with special reference to injury to apple foliage. Bordeaux gave the 

 least amount of injury but only slightly better in this respect than lime- 

 sulphur. Soluble sulphur without the addition of arsenate of lead was not 

 injurious to the foliage or practically so. The burning in every case where 

 soluble sulphur and arsenate of lead were combined was serious. 



Orchard spraying experiments conducted at the Kentville experimental sta- 

 tion have been noted from another source (E. S. R., 35, p. 447). 



Soil manag'enient investigations in a young apple orchard, C. G. Wood- 

 BUBY, H. A. NoYEs, and J. Oskamp (Indiana Sta. Bui. 205 (1917), pp. 3-52, 

 pis. 2, figs. 10). — This bulletin gives the results for the first five years of soil 

 management investigations in a young apple orchard which were started in 1910 

 and will continue until the 1925 crop is harvested. The investigation as a 

 whole has to do with the effects of tillage with cover crop, mulch, and sod on 

 apple trees and the factors responsible for the.^e' effects. 



The investigation is being conducted largely in a 17-acre upland orchard 

 planted in 1909 to Grimes, Jonathan, and Stayman Winesap apple trees, 35 ft, 

 apart each way. Interplants have been added subsequently for future re- 

 moval in connection with the study of root development and physiological 

 problems. Similar experimental work is also being conducted on three acres 

 of hillside land, largely to a.ssist in interpreting the results in the upland 

 orchard. 



The systems of soil management include four major treatments, namely, clean 

 cultivation \vith a winter cover crop; a heavy mulch of straw applied to the 



^1347°— 18 i 



