HORTICULTURE. 347 



Fertilizers for garden and field vegetables, Diijbers {Deut. Landw. Presse, 28 

 (1901), Xii. <>■'), J >. .i'O-'i, ji(/s. 4). — Tlie<i;(HMl results ohtaiued ingrowing caV)bage, cel- 

 eriac, spinach, polo l)ean8, onions, kohl-rabi, carrots, peas, etc., by combining com- 

 mercial fertilizers with barnyard manure, are shown l)y experimental data obtained 

 with these crops. 



Seven years of experiments with bush beans, B. P. Halsted (Froc. S(jc. Prom. 

 Agr. Sci., 1900, pp. 119-129). — Cultural experiments and experiments in controlling 

 the diseases of bush beans have been carried on since 1894, and are here summarized. 

 Planting at depths of 1 to 1| in. gave the best yield. Four and one-half inches distant 

 in the row with Golden Wax sorts has been found better than greater or less dis- 

 tances. The more the beans are crowded, however, the greater the amount of spot 

 diseases. Sprinkling the plants twice daily, from August 30 to October 1, had no 

 appreciable effect upon the foliage or pods. Irrigation nearly doubled the yield of 

 pods but tended to increase the diseases. Mulching was found to be of value only 

 in seasons with less than the normal rainfall. Half-shading prolonged the period of 

 maturity of the first crop and retarded the time of blooming of the second. The 

 pod spot and bacteriosis of beans have been controlled in a large measure by the 

 application of Bordeaux mixture and its various modifications. Beans have yielded 

 on the whole better on old land than on new land, though slightly more subject to 

 diseases. Mulching beans with spotted pods tended slightly to increase the disease. 

 More and larger tubercles have been found on plants grown on old bean lands than 

 where grown on new lands. 



The cantaloupe, H. H. Griffin [Colorado Sta. Bid. 62, pp. 3-7, 16-18, Jig. 1). — 

 Notes are given on the methods followed in growing the Netted Gem muskmelon at 

 Rockyford, Colo. The results of some experimental work along the line of irriga- 

 tion, fertilizing, and transplanting previously reported (E. S. R., 12, p. 229) are also 

 noted, and additional data given on the proportion of male and female flowers pro- 

 duced on muskmelon vines at different dates during the season. 



In the culture of muskmelons in Colorado the first planting is made from May 1 

 to 10. The land, preferably alfalfa sod, is put into good tilth, and furrows run with 

 a shovel plow 6 to 7 ft. apart. From 10 to 15 seed are then planted 1 in. deep in 

 hills 5 to 6 ft. apart by the sides of the furrows. The author prefers to plant the hills 

 first and irrigate the furrows afterwards, rather than to irrigate first, since the soil is 

 apt to become crusted and dry if it is handled and pressed after irrigation. Cultiva- 

 tion should follow until the vines are 2 to 3 ft. across the hill. " Then the irrigating 

 furrows should be run and cultivation cease, giving such hoeing as will keep down 

 weeds." 



Rockyford cantaloupes are characterized by the author as follows: "A pure 

 Rockyford cantaloupe when ripe should have a silver colored netting which is lace- 

 like in appearance. The skin should be green turning to a peculiar gray color when 

 the melon is fit for shipping. The flesh should be green in color, and so sweet and 

 luscious that it may be eaten close to the rind. The melon should have a small seed 

 cavity and the portion of the flesh immediately surrounding it be slightly tinged with 

 yellow. The melon should weigh about l.j lbs. and be very solid and firm." 



A few melons for shipment are picked the first week in August, but the heavy 

 shipping does not commence until aljout the middle of the month. The melons are 

 crated in 3-tier crates holding 15 perfect melons in each tier. The standard size of 

 this crate, inside measurement, is 22 in. long, 12 in. wide, and 13 in. deep. A 2-layer 

 crate two-thirds the size of the standard and a "pony " crate, holding 45 melons but 

 smaller than the stamlard, are also in use. 



Relative to the signs which indicate the time for picking the Rockyford musk- 

 melon, the author states as follows: "When it is proper time to pick for shipment, 

 the stem slightly parts from the melon. No stem tissue should adhere to the melon, 

 but there should be a smooth surface where the stem was attached. The netting 



