HORTICULTURE. 



49 



checks. The following table gives the difference in yield and value of 

 apples on thinned and unthinned trees: 



Be8>tlts of thinning apples. 



A tree each of Guei and Victoria plums was divided into approxi- 

 mately equal halves; one-half of each tree was thinned July 1 and the 

 other half left as a check. The results are shown in the table following: 



Result of thinning plums. 



Variety tests of fruits, S. T. Maynard, J. H. Putnam, and S. W. 

 Fletcher (Massachusetts Hatch 8ta. Bui. ii } pp. 3-24). — Apples. — A 

 list is given of the varieties fruited in 1896. Brief descriptive notes 

 are given on those showing special merit. 



drapes. — Many varieties were injured by the winter of 1S95. There 

 was a very noticeable difference in the injury to the sprayed and 

 unsprayed vines, probably due to the fact that the unsprayed plants, 

 being affected more by disease, did not mature their wood as well as 

 the sprayed plants. The spraying had a greater effect on the crop of 

 the year following the treatment than on that of the season in which the 

 application was made. Seventy-two sprayed vines of as many varieties 

 produced 187 lbs. of fruit, while 72 unsprayed vines of the same varie- 

 ties produced but 118 lbs. A table is given comparing 97 varieties as 

 regards vigor, hardiness, resistance to disease, yield and quality of 

 fruit, time of ripening, adhesiveness, keeping qualities, etc. Notes are 

 given on some of the new varieties. 



Gooseberries. — Descriptive notes are given on 12 American and 5 

 English varieties. Their relative vigor and productiveness and the com- 

 parative size and quality of their fruit are shown in tabular form. The 

 English varieties were found to be, on the whole, less vigorous and pro- 

 ductive and more subject to disease than the American varieties. The 

 varieties recommended for general culture, in the order of their value, 

 are Lewis Eoesche, Triumph, Downing, Columbus, Chautauqua, and 

 Crown Bob. 



