872 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The routs should be set out in the spring, just as soon as possible alter the frost is out 

 of the ground. The author digs the roots in the late fall in clumps ami allows them 

 to freeze solid before putting in the cellar. 



Generally speaking, the roots begin to produce edible shoots within 5 weeks after 

 they have been put into the cellar, and continue in bearing for about 5 weeks. After 

 the roots are put in place on the floor of the cellar, or on specially made benches, they 

 are thoroughly watered with warm water, the soil being kept moist but never wet. 

 It is easy to water too much. An overabundant supply of water results in light- 

 colored stalks, which are lacking in flavor and texture. 



Chayote, the South American apple dumpling. A coming product of 

 southern California, <t. H. Paine (Pacific Fruit World, is (1905), No. 21, /<. 13, fig. 

 1). — The author gives his experience in growing this vegetable in California. It 

 fruits there very abundantly, and it is believed that it will become one of the staple 

 food products of southern California. 



Report of assistant in horticulture, E. E. Nelson (Wyoming Sta. Rpt. 1904,pp. 

 52-64, pi. 1). — An outline is given of the work done during the year, with an account 

 of the yield, with descriptions of a number of varieties of garden peas, radishes, let- 

 tuce, and cabbage grown at the station. A list is given of the hardy ornamental 

 shrubs which succeed at the station. Among these may be mentioned lilacs, matri- 

 mony vine, roses, yellow flowering currant, honeysuckle, barberry, Siberian pea 

 bush, Siberian pea tree, flowering almond, etc. A numberof herbaceous perennials 

 which also succeed at the station are mentioned. 



A test was made of 2 varieties of mushrooms, Bohemia and Alaska. During a 

 fruiting period of 6'2 days the Bohemia mushrooms yielded a total of 223 fruits. The 

 Alaska variety came into fruit 18 days later than the Bohemia, producing l'o2 mush- 

 rooms in .'!1 days. Not only did the Alaska variety yield more mushrooms than the 

 Bohemia, but the mushrooms were larger, came into bearing later, and made a 

 quicker growth. 



Sterilized vegetables (Gardening, 13 (1905), No. 299, p. 167). — It is reported that 

 a discovery has recently been made whereby vegetables may be preserved indefi- 

 nitely by sterilizing them with hot air. Corn, peas, string beans, Lima beans, etc, 

 thus treated "take on a withered form much like cured hay, but when put in cold 

 water will resume their shape and retain their former brittleness and garden flavor." 



The absorption of drugs by plants, G. Viaud (Rev. Hort. [Pan's], 76 (1904), 

 No. 24, pp. 588-590). — A general discussion is given of the possibility and value of 

 so cultivating and fertilizing plants as to increase their medicinal value. 



Influence of greenhouse culture on plants in the vicinity of Paris, J. 

 Bedelian (Rev. Gen. But., 16 (1904), Nos. 184, ]>/>■ 144-154; 186, pp. 242-248; 187, pp. 

 265-294; 188, pp. 318-338, pis. 4)- — An illustrated descriptive account is given of 

 variations in the anatomical structure of a number of varieties and species of plants 

 grown outdoors and under glass in the vicinity of Paris. 



Fourth report of the Woburn Experimental Fruit Farm, Dike ok Bedford 

 and S. U. Pickering ( Woburn Kept. Fruit Farm Rpt. 1904, }>P- 99). — The results are 

 here given of fertilizer experiments with strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, cur- 

 rants, and apples, which have been carried on at the Woburn Experimental Fruit 

 Farm for 8 or more years, and for a lesser period with some of the fruits at Millbrook, 

 lying near Woburn, but possessing a much more sandy soil. 



The surface soil at Woburn consists of a sandy loam, resting on a deep bed of very 

 impervious Oxford clay. Analyses show this soil to be sufficiently rich in all the 

 elements of plant food to be called a fertile soil. It is not. however, the authors 

 state, adapted to fruit growing because of its peculiar physical nature. It contains a 

 large quantity of sand in such a minute state of division that under many climatic 

 conditions it exhibits all the properties of the stiffest clay soil. "After heavy rains 

 the water will stand on the ground for a long time before it can soak away, and when 



