HORTICULTURE. 1069 



roots of the other varieties are recorded in detail. In general, trees on Miner roots 

 were poor, while those on Peach and Sand Cherry were especially good. Milton 

 anil Newman showed the largest number of live trees on the different stocks and 

 Chabot the least. The striking feature of the experiment was the excellent results 

 obtained on Sand Cherry stock {Prnnus jmmlld bessei/i). 



The root systems of the different stocks are illustrated and described, and the 

 orchard characters of the trees noted. In the author's opinion too much stress has 

 usually been laid on the value of fil)r()us roots in transplanting trees. Freshness and 

 vigor should constitute tlie chief desiderata in the roots of the nursery tree. The 

 root system of trees on Americana stocks was rather small, but vigorous and iiardy, 

 and the union with most plums, especially Americana varieties, was excellent. The 

 root system of trees on INIiner stocks was weak in every respect. There were no tap 

 or fibrous roots, and the lateral branches were scattering and irregular. The best 

 root system on the whole was found on Marianna stocks,Ji;Mle the union of this 

 stock with most varieties was excellent. Fairly good rooi systems were produced 

 on Peach stocks, but the union was generally poor. The Sand Cherry stocks, while 

 use<l at the station for only a year, have given remarkably fine root systems. j 



A summary is given of the experiments made during the past 3 years with differ- 

 ent stocks and varieties, from which it appears that Chabot makes a comparatively 

 slow growth and nearly always gives a lower percentage of trees than any other 

 variety. Americana roots make good unions and give comparatively stout, stocky 

 trees which, however, are measurably dwarfed. Marianna stocks have generally 

 given long, tall, sound trees but a low percentage of successful grafts, averaging but 

 32 as against 46 Americana and 44 Peach. Attention is called- to the fact, however, 

 that these results are averages and that actual quality and vigor of the stock often 

 exert a greater influence than its l)otanical name. 



A review of Americana plums, F. A. Wauc;h ( Vermont Sta. Rpt. lD02,pp.2G0-365, 

 ph. 4)- — Of the different groups of American plums, Pnniuii (imericami is considered 

 1 )y far the most important. The various types of American plums are briefly reviewed 

 and their botanical names given, with the principal synonymy. At the present time 

 there are about 200 named varieties of American plums. Many of these, however, 

 are indistinguishable from each other. Lists are given containing the names of 

 varieties of (1) proved value, (2) those of doubtful value requiring further test, and 

 (3) culls or varieties which should be discarded. 



The Japanese hybrid groups of plums, F. A. Waugh ( Vcniiont iSta. Jijit. 1902, 

 pp. J<i'j-J07). — In a previous rei)ort ( K. S. R., 14, p. 44) the Gonzales group of hybrid 

 phinis containing Japanese ])lood was classified and named botanically. In the 

 jiresent report hybrids of the Japanese with the Americana and Simon j)lums are dis- 

 cussed. Hybrids between the Japanese and the Americana plums are classified as 

 the Omaha group, using the variety of that name as the type of the group. The group 

 is described and given the botanical name of Frunus triflora rustiea. Hybrids of 

 Japanese and Simon plums (P. shnonii) are classified as the Wickson group and given 

 the new name of P. triflora recta. In this group the variety Wickson is especially 

 tyjiical as regards fruit, and Bartlett as regards tree and foliage. 



A resume of what I know about my specialty — plums, J. W. Kerk (Irans. 

 Perimfiul<( Ilort. Soc, 16 {1903), pp. -^/-^^).— The author states that wherever the 

 peach is entirely hardy it is a very satisfactory stock for plums and that root grafting 

 is incomparably superior to budding in propagating on this stock. The varieties 

 Abundance and Chabot are considered the best of the Japanese or hyl)rid jjlums. 

 Milton and Whitaker are considered the best among native plums. The author 

 states that there is more profit in an acre of Milton plums than of any other variety. 



Laying down of peach trees, W. Paddock {Colorado Sta. Bui. 80, pp. 8, 

 fi.ijii. 4). — In many sections of Colorado peaches are destroyed 4 years out of 5 by late 

 spring frosts. The methods of laying the trees down over winter and covering as a 



