46 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The uses of the plant are considered, and full directions for its culture are given. A 

 series of letters on the culture of the crop, its expenses and returns, are presented, 

 and investigations of sunflowers by experiment stations in the United States and 

 Canada and the Division of Chemistry of this Department are reviewed and the 

 results noted. The investigations by the Division of Chemistry comprise measure- 

 ments of the plant and its different parts, the determination of the weight of the 

 seeds, kernels, and shells, and chemical analyses of the various parts of the plant, 

 including the ash. 



Variation in the nitrogen content of cultivated -wheats, P. de Vilmorix et al. 

 {Bui. Soc. Nat. Agr. France, 61 {1901), No.l,'pp. 73-101). — A comprehensive dis- 

 cussion of this subject at a meeting of the National Agricultural Society of France. 

 The results of physical and chemical analyses of a list of varieties of wheat are given 

 in a table. 



The production of wheat in Michigan, O. C. Howe {Mkhlrjan Bd. Agr. Rpt. 

 1900, pp. 375-379). — A general discussion of the sul)ject. 



Domestic supply of sugar for Michigan, K. C. Kedzie {Michigan Bd. Agr. 

 Rpt. 1900, pp. 391-400, map 1). — This article is an abstract of a paper presented 

 before the United States Industrial Commission in 1900. The history, progress, and 

 present condition of the beet-sugar industry in Michigan are reviewed. 



Management of the estate of EUenbach, A. Cakon {Jahrh. Deut. Landw. 

 Gesell., 15 {1900) ,]ip. 43, 44) ■ — ^ paper read at a meeting of the German Agricultural 

 Society in 1900. 



HORTICULTUEE. 



Report of the horticulturist, A. L. Qitaintance {Georgia Sta. Rpt. 1900, pp. 

 305-351, ph. 4). — This is a report on work at the station with peaches, plums, grapes, 

 cantaloupes, onions, and celery. Analyses with reference to sugar, water, and starch 

 content are also given for 43 varieties of sweet potatoes, and some illustrations given 

 showing the development of the fruit buds of the peach at different stages of growth 

 between May 23 and the following Deceml)er. Of the 65 varieties of native and 

 European plums tested at the station, Munson, Wild Goose, Hughes, and Nebraska 

 are considered the most desirable. 



The work with grapes is in continuation of that previously reported (E. S. R., 12, 

 p. 50) and consists (1) of a study of the degree of self -fertility of the different varie- 

 ties, and an examination of the stamens as to whether they were upright or reflexed; 

 (2) a test of the keeping qualities of the different varieties; (3) a study of the effects 

 on the fruit of ringing grapevines; and (4) analyses of the different varieties with 

 reference to the sugar content of the juice. In the self-fertility test, out of 271 varie- 

 ties grown, 144 are recorded as having bunches above 80 per cent perfect. The.se 

 were all varieties with upright stamens. The author states that those varieties 

 which have a percentage of self-fertility less than 80 should be planted with other 

 varieties of the same blooming period. When inclosed in sacks varieties with reflexed 

 stamens failed entirely to produce fruit. In some other Instances the bunches from 

 the inclosed flowers were often larger and more perfect than where the flowers were 

 exposed to pollen of other varieties, and there was almost every gradation from this 

 condition to complete si'lf-sterility. In the test of the keeping qualities of grapes, 

 there was no great degree of uniformity with the results secured the preceding year. 

 This question is being further studied. 



The fruit from ringed and unringed canes is compared in point of size, quality, 

 and date of ripening in a number of tables. The ringing was begun when each 

 variety was about one-third grown. ' ' Great variation was noticed in the effects 

 produced on the different varieties. In some the ripening of the fruit was much 

 earlier, while in other varieties it was actually retarded." 



