262 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



Shi iic data are given on the growth <>f horse beans, soybeans and hairy vetch, when 

 planted at different dates as cover crops in the orchard. All proved satisfactory. Vari- 

 ety tests are reported with sweet corn, tomatoes, peas, cabbage, onions, squashes, beans, 

 parsnips, Lettuce, turnips, etc. Sparks Earliana has proved one of the most satis- 

 factory early tomatoes grown. An article by Mr. Macoun on growing vegetables in 

 a cheese-cloth inclosure has been noted from another source (E. S. R., 15, p. 673). 



At the experimental station in Nova Scotia Mr. Blair reports Alaska and Station 

 as the two best early peas to grow- Tomatoes at the same station, staked and 

 pruned to one stalk, produced ripe fruit earlier and were less affected with rot than 

 when allowed to run untrained over the ground. The yield of fruit, however, was 

 not so large. Sparks Earliana, Bond Early Minnesota, Early Ruby, and Extra Early 

 Advance were the best of the varieties tested. 



Mr. Bedford, of the Manitoba Station, gives descriptions of 15 varieties of cross- 

 bred apples which fruited for the first time at the station during the season. Eall 

 sowing of tree seeds has been found to give very satisfactory results at that station. 

 Bush forms of squashes do better than the running varieties. Extra Early Orange 

 Marrow is the best substitute for a pie pumpkin yet tested. 



Descriptions are given of 49 varieties of apples, 21 of pears, and 10 of plums which 

 fruited for the first time at the station in British Columbia. 



Experiments with manures and fertilizers on different varieties of aspara- 

 gus and raspberries, A. T. Jordan (New Jersey Stas. Bui. 173, pp. 20). — The author 

 lias summarized the results secured in experiments extending over a number of years 

 at the station in the growing of asparagus and raspberries with commercial fertilizers 

 in comparison with manure. The results secured in individual years have been noted 

 from time to time (E. S. R., 15, p. 152). The work includes a study of the relative 

 value of barnyard manure, a complete commercial fertilizer, the same commercial 

 fertilizer j:>lus bone and potash, and the same commercial fertilizer plus bone, potash, 

 and nitrate of soda. Certain cultural features have also been studied. 



The combined results of 6 years' work with asparagus place Palmetto at the head 

 of the list of 8 varieties tested as regards disease resistance, early and total yields, and 

 money returns. Donald Elmira stands second in early and total yields. One-year- 

 old roots have been found fully as satisfactory for transplanting as two-year-old 

 roots. 



As regards fertilizers, the largest and cheapest yields have been secured by the use 

 of commercial fertilizers alone. The manured plat stands second in yield, but the 

 cost of production has been greater on the manured plat than on any of the others. 

 The use of complete commercial fertilizer alone has been only about one-third as 

 expensive as the manure, while the total yield has averaged 2 per cent better. The 

 addition of bone and potash or bone, potash, and nitrate of soda to the complete 

 fertilizer has not resulted in increased yields, and while more expensive than com- 

 plete fertilizer alone has been only about one-half as expensive as manure. As c< >m- 

 pared with complete fertilizer alone manure had a value of 42| cts. per ton as a 

 fertilizer for asparagus. The conclusions of the author relative to asparagus are in 

 part as follows: 



"The selection of varieties in planting is very important. Palmetto, a disease- 

 resisting variety, gives a yield exceeding that of the Elmira, second in order, by 32 

 per cent, in the average of six crops, and by nearly 36 per cent in crop of 11*03. 

 The cash value by which Palmetto exceeds any other variety equals $111.01 and 

 $221.88, for the average crop and that of 1903, respectively . . . Manure at $1.50 

 per ton, 20 tons per acre, is the most expensive method of supplying plant food. 

 The returns per dollar of cost are the lowest of any of the four methods of fertilizing 

 used." 



The work with raspberries is summarized for the 3 red varieties tested. Of these, 

 Cuthbert stands at the head as regards average yield, and is considereil by far the 



