HORTICULTURE. 371 



author conducted some experiments to determine the effect of aeration of the soil in 

 such localities on growth of fruit trees. In transplanting nursery trees to the orchard 

 a hole was dug from 1 to 1\ meters in diameter and 1A meters across. Instead of 

 having the hole come to a point at the bottom, as is usually the case in transplant- 

 ing trees, it was actually made wider at the bottom than at the top. In the case of 

 sandy land, where this kind of a hole could not be dug without danger of caving in, 

 the hole was made wider at the top and the walls dug straight down. 



After digging the holes they were allowed to remain open for a few weeks. They 

 were then filled about one-quarter full with brushwood, twigs, leaves, and such 

 material. A layer of earth was then covered over this material and the hole again 

 left for a period of several weeks, after which it was tilled up with alternate layers of 

 fine soil, brush, half-rotton wood, and humus. Trees planted in holes thus made 

 have uniformly made a remarkably good growth, and the strong roots thrown out 

 have been able to penetrate the bottom and side walls of the holes into the harder 

 layer of earth. 



Excellent results are also reported from the use of hairy vetch, crimson clover, and 

 red clover as cover crops in the orchard. 



Results of soil aeration with orchard fruits and its value in general cul- 

 ture, Causemann {Dent. Landw. Presse, 31 (1904), Xo. 72, pp. 619, 620).— The author 

 notes an experiment in the planting of 120 fruit trees, partly along highways and 

 partly in an orchard. The aeration of the soil was secured by digging holes about 

 1^ meters deep and a little wider and filling the same with alternate layers of brush- 

 wood and soil. All the trees thus treated have made a remarkably good growth in 

 every situation. This method of setting out trees, it is believed, promises much for 

 certain orchard sections of Germany, where unsatisfactory results are now being 

 secured. Some other data are noted showing the value in general of deep prepara- 

 tion of the soil for growing crops. 



Pruning, fertilizing, and thinning, J. H. Funk {Pennsylvania Sluts Dept. Agr. 

 Rpt. 1903, pp. 791-796). — Directions based on a number of years of successful expe- 

 rience are here given for the pruning, fertilizing, and thinning of orchard fruits. 



For transplanting in the orchard the author prefers 1-year-old peach trees, and 

 apple trees not older than 2 years. The trees are pruned to whips and cut off at a 

 uniform height of 18 in. to 2 ft. When the young shoots have grown about an inch 

 all buds below the sixth top ones are rubbed off. Heading in is regularly practiced 

 to induce stockiness and early fruiting. Well-rotted stable manure is recommended 

 during the early growth of the trees. In the author's orchard 6 to 8 year old trees 

 average 6 to 8 in. in diameter, and he finds no difficulty in securing a growth of an 

 inch in diameter each year. 



Reports of the pomologist, C. T. Fox [Pennsylvania State Dept. Ayr. Rpt. 1903, 

 pp. 233-243, 536-543). — Reports are here given for the years 1902 and 1903, on the 

 production of orchard and small fruits in the different sections of Pennsylvania. 

 The Kieffer is grown more largely than any other pear in Pennsylvania. The 

 Numbo and Paragon varieties of chestnuts have been grafted on native trees with 

 much success. The grafts bear fruit in 3 years and the nuts are much larger than 

 the native sorts and command double their price in the market. The varieties of 

 apples, pears, cherries, grapes, peaches, quinces, and strawberries of note which have 

 been originated in the State are mentioned briefly, with an account of their origin. 

 The introduction of Japanese varieties of plums in Pennsylvania has given new life 

 to that industry. 



Fruit-growing statistics of Erie County, L. G. Youngs (Pennsylvania State T>< pt. 

 Agr. Rpt. 1903, pp. 715, 716). — Erie County in Pennsylvania borders on Lake Erie. 

 It contains 50,000 acres of grape land, of which 6,000 acres have been planted. The 

 normal annual production of grapes is 1,800 carloads, valued at §600,000. The 

 annual value of berries and other small fruits is §300,000. About 400,000 bu. of 



