1068 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



"Good cultivation iu early summer can often be given y(jung trees by growing 

 some cultivated crop in the orchard. Tender crops are best, since they can not be 

 sown so early as to dry the ground seriously in spring, and are killed by fall frosts, 

 thus preventing very late drying. Cropping with corn, for instance, insures fairlj' 

 thorough early cultivation, and corn is a fair substitute for a cover crop in fall and 

 winter." 



A study of North.western apples, N. E. Hansen {Soutli. Dalola Ski. Bui. 76, 

 pp. 143, Jig.f. 84). — This bulletin discusses methods of propagating apples and of origi- 

 nating new varieties, best varieties of orchard and small fruits for planting in the 

 Northwest, and the terms used in describing apjjles; and gives descriptions of more 

 than oOO varieties of apples, including notes on their origin. A key or system of 

 classification is proposed by means of which the names of unknown varieties of 

 apples may l)e <leteniiined. The necessity of very hardy varieties of ajtples for the 

 Northwest is discussed in some detail by the author, and the standing offer of the 

 Minnesota State Horticultural Society of $1,000 to the originator of a variety of apple 

 that shall be as hardy as the Duchess, equal in quality, size, and appearance to 

 Wealthy, and possess the keeping quality of Malinda, is noted. As a stock for apples 

 the station has found the Siberian crab (P?/rH.s haccuta) perfectly hardy. The Rus- 

 sian Apple Nomenclature Commission, appointed in 1898 by interested societies in 

 Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and South Dakota, of which the author was secretary, 

 defined and described 14 groups of apples, strongly favoring Duchess, Hibernal, Char- 

 lamoff, Anisim, Yellow Sweet, Repka INIalenka, Longfield, Cross, and Christmas as 

 the best for the average planter. Since then a number of seedlings have arisen in 

 the different States, but it will require a "test" winter such as that of 1884-85 before 

 their hardiness can be fully determined. 



In growing apples from seed the author has found that seeds obtained from cider 

 mills should be separated from the pomace before planting, since the fermenting 

 pomace contains an acid injurious to their germination. Clean seed washed from 

 the pomace within 24 hours after pressing should ])e spread- out to dry for a day or 

 two, then mixed with moistened sand and buried in small boxes Avith holes in the 

 bottom for drainage in well-drained spots in the garden over winter. The author 

 has been most successful at the station in i>lanting the seeds in beds 4 feet wide sur- 

 rounded bj' ])oards a foot high and given half shade by means of a lath screen as soon 

 as the seedlings appear above the ground. Fall planting I in. deep in rows 10 

 in. apart and heavily mulching over winter with coarse rotten manure is preferred. 

 In discussing the reproduction of varieties the author quotes G. P. Peffer, originator 

 of the Pewaukee, Peffer, and other varieties of apples, as holding that any apple will 

 reproduce itself from seed if inbred by covering the l)lossoms to prevent access of 

 pollen from otlier varieties. 



South Dakota is divided by the author into 12 districts, and varieties of apples, 

 plums, cherries, native fruits, raspberries, blackberries, currants, gooseberries, straw- 

 berries, and grapes are recnnunended for each section. 



Propagation of plums, third report, F. A. Waugh ( Vermont Sta. Rpt. J903, pp. 

 249-260, figs. 5). — The work here reported is in continuation of that of the two preced- 

 ing years (E. S. R., 14, p. 43). The nursery work in 1900 consisted in propagating 5 

 different varieties of plums, each representative of a class, on 5 different stocks. 

 The varieties used were Stoddard, Bavay, Chabot, Milton, and Newman, and 

 the stocks Americana, Miner, Marianna, Peach, and Sand Cherry. Each variety was 

 grafted on each stock, thus making 25 different lots. There were 60 grafts made in 

 each lot. One-half of the grafts in each lot were planted in Vermont and the other 

 half in Maryland. The grafts at the Vermont Station practically failed. This result 

 taken in connection with other work indicates that nursery stock can not be profitably 

 produced in Vermont. All the grafts produced a satisfactory growth in IMaryland 

 except Bavay, which was Avholly unsatisfactory. Data on the growth of the tops and 



