HORTICULTURE. 749 



Variations in the quality of wheat grains, A. Schischkin (Deut. Landw. Presse, 

 24 {1897), No. 100, p. 909). — The specific gravity, absolute weight, and nitrogen eon- 

 tent were determined of 19 samples of 1 variety of wheat grown under systems of 

 rotation without application of fertilizers. The samples represented 19 different 

 seasons. It is shown that the absolute weight of wheat grains varies considerably 

 in different seasons, but that the specific gravity remains comparatively constant. 

 The nitrogen content varied from 2.205 per cent in 1882 to 3.173 per cent in 1891. 

 No connection is believed to exist between the nitrogen content and the absolute 

 weight. The samples from the smaller yields were characterized by a high nitrogen 

 content. 



Experiments on the effect of magnesia on -wheat, N. Passerini (Bol. Scuola 

 Agr., 3 (1895), pp. 140-142; abs. in Jour. Chem. Soc. [London'], 72 (1897), No. 14,.', II, 

 p. 587). — Applications of magnesium carbonate at rates of 200 to 500 kg. per hectare 

 reduced both yield and quality. 



The prevention of winterkilling of grains (Deut. Landw. Presse, 24 (1897), No. 96, 

 p. 871). — The results of experiments lead to the conclusion that grains are better 

 protected during the winter on lands with a rough surface than on lands which have 

 been smoothed down. 



HORTICULTURE. 



Asparagus culture, R. B. Handy ( U. 8. Dept. Agr., Farmers' Bui. 

 61, pp. 39, figs. 17). — This is a popular bulletin on asparagus culture, 

 including discussions of history, botany and varieties, production of 

 plants from seed, selection of plants, selection and preparation of soils, 

 planting- and cultivation, manuring beds, harvesting and marketing, 

 canning and drying, and fungus diseases. The bulletin also contains 

 an article on insect enemies of asparagus by F. H. Chittenden. 



In regard to selection of seed, the author recommends that during the 

 spring cutting the plants producing the largest and earliest spears be 

 marked, care being used to have a pollen-bearing plant near the seed- 

 bearing ones to insure pollination. The next spring, one or two of the 

 largest stocks of each of the marked hills should be left, all other 

 stalks being cut for market. These early stalks will then bloom before 

 the later appearing ones, and thus prevent pollination from inferior 

 plants. Of the seed produced by these plants only the largest, plump- 

 est, and best should be used. 



In regard to manuring the beds, the author emphasizes the impor- 

 tance of applying fertilizers in the spring and summer when the plant 

 is growing rapidly and storing up reserve material for the next spring's 

 crop of spears, rather than applying it in the autumn or winter when 

 the plant is dormant. 



Department of horticulture and forestry, C. B. Waldron (North 

 Dakota Sta. Rpt. 1896, p. 19). — A brief report of the work of the year. 

 Experiments with cabbage, cauliflower, and onions gave no results on 

 account of the ravages of cutworms. The experiments with celery 

 lead to the following conclusions: 



"(1) The period of transplanting can not safely be delayed after June 1. 



"(2) Banking the celery when the soil is excessively dry, especially during warm 

 weather, causes the celery to rot at the heart. To avoid both rust and rot, heavy 

 banking should not begin until cold weather in September. 



