HORTICULTURE. 355 



a Huinniary of the total luiiiiberof tree.s tliat have dit'd nincc the orchard was planted, 

 the total yield obtained dnriiit,' the past .'! years on different i)lats. anil the fertilizers 

 that are being nsed on each i)lat. Each plat consists of 48 trees. Trees that die are 

 replaced with others. 



Yield of peaches on plats differently fertilized. 



Plats. 



Fertilizers used. 



Total 



number 



of trees 



that have 



died. 



Total 

 number 

 of bas- 

 kets of 

 fruit ob- 

 tained in 

 3 years. 



65 lbs. muriate of potash, IGO lbs. acid phosphate 



65 lbs. muriate of potash, 160 lbs. acid phosphate, and 170 lbs. cotton-seed 



meal 



65 lbs. muriate of potash, 160 lbs. acid phosiiliate 



130 lbs. muriate of potash, 160 lbs. acid iilmsphatc 



260 lbs. muriate of potash, 160 lbs. acid pliosphate 



260 lbs. high-grade sulphate of potash, 160 lbs acid phosphate 



271. 75 



428. 5 J 

 306.25 

 413.50 

 602. 50 

 556. 75 



The thinning- of fruit, S. A. Beach ( Odifoniia Fruit Grower, ^9 {1902), Nos. 127; 

 128, p. 4; 729, pp. 4, .5). — This article inclndes the data on thinning apples previously 

 presented by the anthor (E. S. R., 9, p. 448), and in addition the results of some 

 experiments in thinning apricots, peaches, and plums. Early thinning, leaving 

 the fruits in one instance at least 1 in. apart when ripened, and in another at least 

 2 in. apart, was practiced, as was also thinning 4 weeks later, leaving the fruits the 

 same distances apart. The best results with apricots followed early thinning 2 in. 

 apart. The fruits were thinned when they had attained about the size of hazel- 

 nuts. Like results are reported with plums. With both fruits there was an increase 

 in the size of the thinned over the unthinned fruit, but in both years the yield was 

 greater on the unthinned than on tlie thinned trees. Peaches were considerably 

 increased in size by thinning and the early thinning appeared to be most effective 

 for this purpose. The effect of thinning the lirst year was not as marked in increas- 

 ing the yield on the same trees the following year as was anticipated. The author 

 believes that pruning is the most economical method of thinning the crop whenever 

 this appears necessary. In the light of the author's experiments, it is believed that 

 thinning fruits in commerical orchards with the expectation of inducing regular 

 bearing and increased yields in succeeding years is of aoubtful value. Nevertheless, 

 other evidence indicates "that systematic; thinning of fruit, combined with skillful 

 care in other directions, may materially strengthen the tendency of the tree to bear 

 annually." Young trees, and sometimes older ones, may be severely impaired in 

 vigor by maturing too heavy loads of fruit. Thinning should constitute the last 

 resort, after all the details of fertilizing, cultivating, draining, pruning, etc., have 

 been attended to. 



Culture of the citrus in California, B. M. Lelong {Sacramento: California State 

 Bd. Hort 1902, rev. ed., pp. 267, pis. 27, figs. 85). — This report contains a complete 

 account of the culture of citrus fruits in California, from the early orchards to the 

 present time. It includes a discussion of the methods observed by the best orchard- 

 ists in propagating, planting, cultivating, irrigating, jiruning, harvesting, and fertiliz- 

 ing oranges, lemons, citrons, and limes and an account of the diseases and insects 

 affecting them. The varieties of the various citrus fruits are described more or less 

 in detail. A chapter is given on the products of citrus fruits, sui-h as perfumes, 

 oils, acids, wines, essences, etc. 



Report of the fruit expert, W. J. Allen {Agr. Gaz. New South Wales, 13 {1902), 

 No. 5, pp. 506-528). — A review is given of the various orchard fruits, including citrus 

 fruits in certain instances, grown at the Wagga, Hawkesbury, Pera Bore, Moree, and 



