660 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



A spring crop was also grown in 1902. .Seed was sown December 28, 1901, and the 

 plants benched April 10. The first ripe fruits were obtained 52 days later. In addi- 

 tion to the above varieties, Stone and Koselind were also grown. With this crop 

 Combination and Lorillard both yielded 3 lbs. of fruit per plant. Best of All 3 lbs. 6 

 oz., and Eclipse 3 lbs. 7 oz. The average yield per square foot for the 2 crops was 

 about 2.37 lbs. When plants were trained to 3 stems a yield of 0.8 lb. per square 

 foot was obtained, as compared with 1.25 lbs. for plants set the same day and trained 

 to a single stem. 



Aggregate atavic mutation of the tomato, C. A. White {Sric'7ire, n. ser., 17 

 {1903), No. 419, ])}). 76-78). — The author notes that in one instance when seed of 

 the Trophy tomato was planted in Habana, Cuba, the first crop produced toma- 

 toes like the Trophy, but when seed from these was planted the resulting fruit was 

 exactly like the small Cherry tomato. Similar results are reported from a parish in 

 Louisiana, in which the seed grown in Louisiana produced the Cherry tomato instead 

 of the much improved form from which the seed was obtained. 



Edible native bulbs, E. Braunton {California Cult., 19 {1902), No. 26, ]>. 409).— 

 The use of some native California bulbs, such as wild onions, several species of 

 "Mariposa lilies," wild hyacinth, CammaiiHht IdchtUnU, and an introduced species of 

 arrow root {Sagittarhi latifolla), for food are noted. 



Orchard studies. I. The fruit plantation. Pome fruits, W. B. Alwood 

 ( Virginia Sfa. Bui. 128, pp. 73-102). — This is an alphabetically arranged catalogue 

 of 416 varieties of apples, crab apples, pears, and quinces grown at the station during 

 the past 14 years. "It has been carefully prepared to conform to correct nomencla- 

 ture and spelling." It is stated that the station is prepared to furnish scions true 

 to name, ior i)urposes of study, etc., of such varieties as are in the orchard. 



Climatic influences on the chemical composition of different varieties of 

 apples in the autumn of 1900, as compared with the same sorts in the 

 autumn of 1898, K. Otto {Landw. Jahrb., 31 {1902), No. 4, pp- 60.5-618).— In the 

 fall of 1898 18 varieties of apples were analyzed with reference to their sugar, starch, 

 and acid content, and the specific gravity of their musts. These same varieties were 

 again analyzed in 1900. The variations in the 2 series of analyses are pointed out, 

 and a study made of the relation of the differences to the precipitation and tempera- 

 ture during the two seasons— March to October, inclusive. During this period the 

 average monthly p'recipitation in 1898 was 58.6 mm., while in 1900 it was 61.4 mm. 

 As regards temperature, there was 281.7° C. more heat during the months of June, 

 July, September, and October in 1900 than in 1898. Two-thirds of the varieties 

 ripened considerably earlier in 1900 than in 1898, in many cases 2 weeks and in some 

 cases 22 and 45 days earlier. The specific gravity of the nuists of half of the varie- 

 ties was consiilerably higher in 1900 than in 1898. In 13 out of the 18 varieties there 

 was a considerable increase in the sugar content, and with 17 varieties a decrease in 

 the acid content in 1900 as compared with 1898. The difference in rainfall and tem- 

 perature in 1900 is believed to largely account for the earlier ripening and the differ- 

 ences in the chemical composition of the apples. 



Astrakhans exported successfully {Canad. Hort., 25 {1902), No. 10, p. 398). — 

 A carload of Ked Astrakhans was successfully sent to Glasgow. The carrier cases 

 cost 22 cts. each and the freight and commission amounted to about 50 cts. per 

 bushel. The fruit netted about $435 at Grimsby, Ontario. 



The book of pears and plums, E. Baktrum {London and New York: John Lane, 

 1903, pp. 96, jjh. ■'j,figg. 5). — This is the eleventh number of the series of Handbooks 

 of Practical Gardening, edited by .H. Roberts, and is similar in scope and purpose to 

 the preceding books. In addition to the culture of pears and plums, that of cher- 

 ries and mulberries is also taken up. Information is given on the cooking and pre- 

 serving of pears, plums, and cherries. The culture of all these fruits is treated from 

 the standpoint of European conditions. 



