1 40 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



method are a longer grafting season — June to September — and a ^^neeessfnl taking of 

 the graft, averaging !)0 to 95 })er cent. 



An experiment in vine topping, K. II. Raixfokd {(Queensland Ayr. Jour., 8 

 {1901), No. 3, p. 305). — In this experiment 20 vines were topped to about 12 in. 

 length above the lowest bunch of grapes shortly after the Ijerries had set, and twice 

 afterwards when the laterals had made sufficient growth to allow it. The bunches 

 on toi)ped vines colored at least a week later than those on the vines not topped, and 

 contained only 16.5 per cent of sugar, as compared with 20 jier cent in the grapes 

 grown on the normally treated vines. There was also ilecidedly less coloring matter 

 in the skins. The results are believed to go some way toward proving that exces- 

 sive topping is hurtful and not beneficial. The experiment will be continued the 

 coming season. 



A collection of reports on experiments in the application of fertilizers, 

 and on the prevention of the Morell disease, C. H. Claa.sse.v ( Versumel. ]'er- 

 slag. Rijk Gesubsidieerde Proefvelden, 1899-1900. De})artm£nt Binnenlandsche Zaken 

 {Netherlands), jjj). 30). — In each case the experiuaent was carried on by farmers or 

 horticulturists under the direction of the otficial in charge of the work. The fer- 

 tilizer experiments were conducted on an orchard, and rhododendrons, hyacinths, 

 pole beans, roses, andgrapes. Someof these experiments remain incomplete, and some 

 for various reas(jns faile<l togive results. The fertilizerexperiment in orchards planted 

 with berry bushes showed a greater profit from the use of commercial fertilizer 

 alone than from either stable manure altme or one-half stable manure with commer- 

 cial fertilizer. The work on hyacinths was not satisfactory, though commercial 

 fertilizer appears not to be well suited to them. The hyacinth disease appeared in 

 some of the plats, but the figures do not show a clear relation between the fertilizer 

 used and the disease. The disease of cherries caused by Momliafructigena was kept 

 under control by vigorous pruning. Botli winter and summer pruning was practiced, 

 with marked improvement in the health and growth of the trees. ^ — ii. m. pieters. 



Something about nuts and nut growing, C. Forkert {A)ner. Gard.,32 {1901), 

 No. 339, pp. 370, 371). — Brii-f notes on tlie i)r()pagation of pecans, with the results of 

 a comparison of the weight of the shell and kernel of a dozen average sized nuts of 

 pecans and English walnuts. The 12 walnuts weighed A\ oz., of which 2 oz. was 

 meat, while the 12 pecans weighed 4 oz., and \\ oz. was meat. 



Top-grafting native chestnut sprouts, \V. E. Britton {Connecticut State Hla. 

 Rjit. 1900, pt. S, pp. 307-310). — In continuation of earlier work along this line (E. S. 

 R., 12, p. 558), a further test has been made of the proper time for setting chestnut 

 scions in Connecticut, and of the value of native sprouts as stocks upon which to graft 

 the European and Japanese varieties of chestnuts. The tests were made on 3-year 

 old chestnut sprouts, some of wliich had attained a height of 14 ft. and had produced 

 burrs. Early frost and a protracted drouglit in midsummer .severely interfere<i with 

 the test. 



Ridgely, Early Reliance, Coe, and McFarland were the varieties used. These were 

 set by cleft-grafting at different times between April 20 and June 12. Two scions 

 were usually set in each stock and the stocks were from 1 to ] \ in. in diameter where 

 cut off. The author states that if 1 of the 2 scions set in each cleft grew, or 50 per 

 cent of the whole number set, it would be all that could be desired, since where both 

 scions grow one should be cut off. 



An examination of the data given shows that of tlie scions set, 50 per cent of 

 Ridgely, 23 per cent of McFarland, 11 per cent of Early Reliance, and 30 per cent of 

 Coe lived. If the percentage of stocks in which scions lived is made the basis of 

 calculation, the percentages are as follows: Ridgely 70, ^McFarland 33, Early Reliance 

 22, and Coe 41. The good results in Ridgely are ascribed in part to its European 

 origin, and in part to the fa€t that the scions were taken from young grafted trees in 

 the vicinity of the station, and were in perfect condition, while the other scions were 



