646 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Rose potatoes, the yield was 9 per cent greater and the amount of scarb 

 slightly less on the irrigated plants than on the unirrigated ones. In 

 another test, irrigation did not appreciably affect the yield or percent- 

 age of scab of Rural No. 2 potatoes. With American Giant potatoes, 

 the yield and amount of scab was greater on the irrigated plats than 

 elsewhere. The yield of Early Rose potatoes was considerably greater 

 and the scabbiness from 19 to 27 per cent less on irrigated than on 

 unirrigated plats. A test of both surface and subirrigation with Early 

 Rose patatoes resulted in no difference in yield and very little difference 

 in scabbiness between the irrigated and the unirrigated plants. 



Studies and illustrations of mushrooms, I, G. F. Atkinson ( Neic 

 York Cornell Sta. Bui. 138, pp. 337-360, Jigs. 26). — This is the beginning 

 of a proposed series of bulletins on the fleshy fungi of the mushroom 

 family. The author briefly discusses the need of a more general knowl- 

 edge of the more common mushrooms in order that the nutritious 

 ones may be used and the poisonous ones avoided. He believes that 

 many common forms of mushrooms may be learned by people without a 

 technical knowledge of the subject, just as many other natural objects 

 are known. 



Popular descriptions and illustrations are given of Agaricus campes- 

 tris, Lepiota naitvina. and Amanita phalloides, showing the peculiarities 

 of the plants at various stages of growth. The life history of mush- 

 rooms is also given in a popular way. 



Turnips, F. S. Earle {Alabama College Sta. Bid. 84, pp. 415-420).— 

 Directions for planting and culture and a note on the uses of turnips 

 are given. About 40 varieties of turnips, many of thern foreign, were 

 tested at the station. The foreign varieties were found to be no better 

 than varieties commonly grown in this country. The flat varieties of 

 turnips are valuable for early crops aud marketing when young. Tbe 

 long varieties havenothingin particular to recommend them. The Globe 

 varieties are bes°t for the main crop aud for fall and winter use. For 

 late winter the Yellow Globes are especially recommended. The flat 

 and the long varieties, on account of much of their roots being exposed, 

 are often rendered unfit for use by being frozen. The Globe varieties 

 have a deep rooting habit and therefore are least injured by freezing. 



Notes on the cherry orchard, W. B. Alwood ( Virginia Sta. Bid. 

 65, pp. 69-74). — Notes are given on 22 varieties of cherries, together 

 with a table showing the dates of bloom of each for the years 1893-97. 

 The following varieties are thought worthy of general culture for market 

 and family use: Early Purple, Schmidt. Windsor, Hortense, Olivett, 

 and Montmorency Large. 



In a situation so exposed to late spring frosts that peaches can not 

 be grown, that Japanese plums can not fruit, and that apples fruit only 

 once in 2 or 3 years, the Hearts, or sweet cherries, as a class have failed 

 to fruit, although the trees have proved hardy in many cases. Both 

 Hearts and Morillos are more readily grown than peaches in situations 

 where the latter succeed. 



