948 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The results of a test of a number of varieties of tomatoes are reported 

 in tabular form. The excessive rainfall of July caused irregularities iu 

 the setting of fruit. From the test the author concludes that "large 

 size in fruits is incompatible with great numbers," and that "the great- 

 est yield in bushels is to be expected from plants producing fruits of 

 medium large size." 



Apples, L. C. Corbett ( West Virginia Ma. Bpt. 1896, pp. 199-215, 

 pis. 15). — This is a popular article discussing the adaptability of West 

 Virginia to apple growing, the orchards of northern West Virginia, the 

 management of orchards, the packing and care of fruit, the longevity 

 of fruit trees, etc. 



In regard to pruning the author urges that the method used be made 

 to correspond to the peculiarities of the variety, rather than that a 

 particular method be used in all cases. For instance, in case of the 

 King and Willow varieties of apples, which bear a large part of their 

 fruit near the outer ends of their long, slender, decumbent branches, 

 heading in should be practiced. On the other hand, with such varie- 

 ties as Ben Davis and Baldwin apples, which have a more compact 

 form and a better distribution of fruit, thinning the branches should be 

 practiced. 



Instances are cited to show the effect of top grafting and root graft- 

 ing on the longevity of some varieties of fruits. Trees of the King 

 apple, top worked on seedlings and now 20 years old are in fairly good 

 condition, while others of the same variety, root grafted and set in the 

 same orchard at the same time, have been dead for 10 years. Ten top- 

 grafted and 10 root-grafted Walldow apples were set in an orchard at 

 the same time. The top-worked trees at the age of 20 years are living 

 and thrifty, while of the root-grafted trees only one limb of one tree is 

 living, the majority of the trees having died between the ages of 5 and 

 10 years. In an apple orchard planted with 100 root-grafted and 70 

 top-grafted trees, 41 per cent of the former and only 7.2 per cent of the 

 latter have died. In propagating varieties of apples that have weak 

 trunks, top grafting or, even better, double working is recommended. 

 For double working, Tolman Sweet is considered a good variety, since 

 "it possesses a close, smooth bark, a strong yet not rapid growth, and a 

 great length of life." 



Strawberries, J. T. Stinson (Arkansas Sta. Bid. 48, pp. 119-1 10, 

 figs. 5). — The bulletin gives general information on strawberry growing 

 in the State and the results obtained at the station. Descriptive notes 

 are given on 43 varieties of strawberries grown at the station and on 23 

 varieties grown in other parts of the State. A summary of results 

 reported in previous publications of the station is given, and the varieties 

 which have since been discarded are noted. 



The culture of strawberries is discussed in a popular way, prepara- 

 tion of soil, setting plants, perfect and imperfect varieties, cultivation, 

 mulching, renewing old beds, implements, crates for marketing, and 



