HOKTICULTUKE. 39 



In a test of different methods of handling lettuce, transplanting to 22-in. pots gave 

 l:)etter results than growing 2 in. ai)art in benches covered 2 in. deep with soil. 

 Experiments with solutions of cow manure, cow urine, and of various other fertilizers 

 for chrysanthemums, indicated that jihosphoric acid was especially valuable in the 

 production of bloom. In lilOOtheuse of 600 11)S. of raw bone meal i)er acre forchrys- 

 anthemums in a solid bed gave slightly more satisfactory results than the same amounts 

 of either dissolved South Carolina rock or slag i>li(isphatc. This, it is thought, is due 

 to the nitrogen which thel)one meal contained and which contnl)uted to the produc- 

 tion of a longer stem and richer foliage. The following season equally good results 

 were olttained with all 3 fertilizers, and when these were used in connection with 

 dried l)looil and nuiriate of potash, better blooms, with stiffer stems, shorter joints, 

 and heavier dark-green foliage were obtained than \\heii well-rotted stable manure 

 was used. 



Of a number of fertilizers used on lettuce gnjwn in col<l frames, a formula made uji 

 of 250 lbs. nitrate of soda and 750 lbs. <lrieil fish resulted in the heaviest yield. 



Veg-etable raising- in greenhouses in the Klin district, Government Tver 

 {Selsk. Klinz. I Lyeauv., 20J {1901), Sept., i>p. o4U-'>!i.>). — The raising in greenhouses 

 in the winter of cucumbers, })eans, salad plants, and radishes, as an industry, has been 

 conducted in the Klin district for 45 years and forms now the chief occupation of 

 the peasants of many villages. The method of cultivation and the structure of the 

 greenhouses are very imperfect, however. 



Forcing- lettuce, C. P. Closk (Utah St<i. Hit/. 7(!, j>j>. IL'i-lJ.',, Jiga. ,.-').— This bid- 

 letin contains the results of some ex])eriments in tlie use of different soils for forcing 

 lettuce, a test of the relative merits of Grand Rapids and Denver market varieties 

 for forcing, and a test of the relative values for forcing of plants that appeared first 

 above the soil from seed and those which ajjpeared one day later. The experiment 

 was repeated 4 times on a small scale, and the results are tabulated in some detail. 

 They show, in general, that leaf mold is a safe substitute for rotted sod in Utah as a 

 part of a mixture in forcing soils for lettuce. The soil which contained one part 

 leaf mold produced a 15 per cent greater yield of lettuce than a similar soil contain- 

 ing one part of rotted sod. The total yield from Grand Rapids crops secured in 

 these tests was nearly -10 per cent heavier than the total yield obtained from the 

 Denver market variety. On the whole, the weight of the crop from seeds that 

 germinated first was slightly greater than the weight of the crop from seed which 

 germinated later. The advantage, however, is so slight as not to l)e worth considering. 



Grovring- ■watermelons in the North; classification of ■watermelons, F. W. 

 Rane {New Harnpsliire Sta. Bid. S6, pj). 70-107, figs. 14)- — A successful method of 

 growing watermelons in the North on a commercial scale, including directions for 

 the selection of soil and location, })lanting, cultivation, picking, storing, and market- 

 ing watermelons, and the enemies affecting them, is given in this bulletin, together 

 ■with the results of a variety test, including descriptive notes of 51 varieties, and the 

 classification of these varieties, using the form and color of the fruit as a basis. 



A rich, warm, sandy loam -with a southern slope is advocated. Planting for 

 southern New Hampshire should be between May 20 and 31. Hills 10 ft. apart 

 each way should be made 18 to 24 in. across and 8 to 10 in. deep. In the station 

 experiments these hills were first filled two-thirds full with a mixture of thoroughly 

 rotted stable manure, to which a half pint of unleached wood ashes, fine hen manure, 

 or a small handful of phosphate was added. Sufficient soil was then drawn over 

 this and the whole thoroughly mixed together so that the hole was nearly full. 

 More soil was then added, making the hill level with the ground. Ten or 12 seed 

 were planted in a circle about 1 ft. in diameter in each hill, and these covered i to § 

 in. deep with fresh, moist soil and pressed down. A little loose soil was then added 

 to keep the moisture of the soil from evaporating. 



5301— No. 1—02 4: 



