HORTICULTURE. 1065 



Hampshire Sin. Bui. 96, pp. 135-133). — The author has made a study of the origin 

 and history of all of the well-known varieties of American muskmelons. A table 

 showing the origin, introducer, and year of introduction of 54 varieties is given in 

 the bulletin, together with a number of letters from various seed firms giving data 

 and notes along the same lines. It was believed when the experiment was under- 

 taken that a large number of American muskmelons would be found to be of definite 

 origin. This ])elief was not substantiated. Very few varieties of known parentage 

 were found. For the most part tlic varieties are chance seedlings or strains of well- 

 known kinds. 



From the notes obtained from seed firms it appears that the ( rreen-fleshed Osage 

 muskmelon came from a variety called Grand View, which in turn was an impure 

 strain of Emerald Gem. Long Island Beauty is a variety of the Hackensack type 

 originated on Long Island. Miller Cream was originated by John D. Miller, of 

 Elmira, N. Y., in 1878, and is believed to have been a cross between Sill Hybrid and 

 Cassava. Osage is believed to be an improved selection from Miller Cream. Osage 

 Gem was a cross between Osage and Netted Gem. Paul Rose is a selected form of 

 Osage. The winter muskmelons Eden, Khiva, and N. E. Hansen have been brought 

 to prominence chiefly through the influence of J. F. Brown, of Utah. Ideal was 

 originated l)y I'rofessor Trice of tlie Texas Agricultural College and Station. 



Onion gro'wing' in the Cache la Poudre Valley, W. Paddock {Colorado Sta. 

 Bui. 81, pp. 10, figs. 3). — A popular discussion of the onion-growing industry in the 

 Cache la Poudre Valley, dealing with soils, preparation of land, fertilizing, seeding, 

 cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, markets, varieties, etc. Yellow Globe Danvers is 

 practically the only variety grown. Sowing the seed in the seed bed and transplant- 

 ing to the open field has not been found profitable in that section. The cost of grow- 

 ing the crop is estimated to be from $50 to $90 per acre, averaging probably about $60 

 per acre. The prices received vary from 65 to 75 cts. per 100 lbs. in the fall. 



The tomato industry of the Arkansas Valley, H. H. Griffin {Colorado Sta. 

 Bid. 7S,pp. ;?0). — This bulletin records the results of 3 years' experiments and obser- 

 vations with tomatoes in the Arkansas Valley, and gives suggestions on the culture 

 of tomatoes, including irrigation, the control of pests, diseases, etc. At present 5 

 canning factories are located in the valley. These are not always fully supplied with 

 tomatoes. Factors tending to lower yields in the valley are strong winds, aridity, 

 dashing rains, and too late planting or planting on impoverished soil. As the result 

 of experiments in 1900 it wasdecide<l that pruning the plants in field culture was not 

 advisable. Plants started in the hotbed and transplanted to the field produced fruit 

 earlier and gave a greater total yield than plants grown from seed sown in the field. 

 The variety Perfection ripened fruit about 3 weeks earlier than Stone, and yielded 

 lieavicr. Hail interfered with the station experiments of 1901. Observations in the 

 neighborhood that year showed that the heaviest yields were obtained from plants 

 set early in May rather than later. On one farm the crop on land manured with 9 

 loads of sheep manure per acre ripened fruit about 3 weeks earlier than where no 

 manure was used. Strong, stocky plants grown at the station produced larger and 

 earlier crops than plants that had not been transplanted before setting in the field, 

 or plants grown from seed sown in the field. The author found that it required 

 about 40 to 45 days after setting for the fruit to ripen. 



The best results in tomato growing were found on virgin sandy soils. IMuch adobe 

 is not desirable. Transplanting tomato plants is of no advantage unless done early 

 enough to permit of an increase of the root system. A good stocky plant should be 

 6 to 8 in. high and about as thick as a lead pencil when set in the field. On well fer- 

 tilized land plants should be set 4 ft. apart each way. In irrigation the greatest 

 quantity of water should be applied when the fruit is growing. Too much water 

 early in the growth of the crop produces a tender growth of yellowish color. Irriga- 

 tion late in the season after the nights have become cold may retard rii^ening. 



